Katherine Legge and Sheena Monk will continue their partnership in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD competition with Gradient Racing, adding Tatiana Calderón for the Michelin Endurance Cup races. Stevan McAleer will join them in the No. 66 Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
“I’m heading into 2024 with a new respect and understanding for what it means to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and ultimately, what it takes to be successful,” Monk said. “We are bringing a powerful driver lineup with vast experience across many disciplines of racing, which I believe will prove invaluable to our outlook across the season.
“I’m eager to build on the strides I’ve made alongside Katherine, as well as working with the skill and energy that Tatiana brings, and finally sharing the car with Stevan’s indomitable competitive spirit. The team members at Gradient Racing have proven on many occasions that they are ready for anything and it gives me the motivation to keep striving for more. When you assemble the right pieces, the rest falls into place.”
“I’m thrilled to build on the progress and potential that the entire Gradient Racing team showed in the 2023 season, and attack 2024 alongside Sheena in our JG Wentworth Acura NSX GT3 Evo22,” said Legge. “There were many positive takeaways in our debut year, and Sheena stepped up to the big leagues with strength and grace. We all know what we can do better and as a team we are coming into the new season with renewed vigor and passion to get the job done.
“I’m super excited to have Tatiana on board with us for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds. She is an exceptionally skilled driver with a very impressive racing pedigree, and I have full confidence that she will be an excellent addition to our squad. We’re also thrilled to have Stevan with us for the Rolex 24 — having him join us strengthens our chances as he has the speed and tenacity we need to go fight for those watches!”
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Versatile Colombian racer Calderón has prior experience in various international series including the WeatherTech Championship, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the European Le Mans Series, FIA Formula 2 and the NTT IndyCar Series.
“I’m super thankful to the whole Gradient Racing team for this opportunity,” said Calderón. “I’m very excited to team up with Sheena, Katherine and Stevan for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. I have competed at Daytona once and I loved the atmosphere and competitive spirit of this incredible race. The team did an amazing job last year and I hope we can build on it to hopefully be on the podium. I’m really looking forward to sharing the car with them and getting familiar with everyone as soon as possible. Can’t wait to get started!”
McAleer is also no stranger to competing across numerous championships, accumulating back-to-back championship titles in Pirelli GT4 America and Fanatec GT World Challenge America. The Scottish racer also finished third in the GTD championship last season, while also competing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
“I’m very excited to be joining Gradient Racing for the Rolex 24 with Sheena, Katherine, and Tatiana,” said McAleer. “This event is such a thrill and I believe this car and program has the potential to fight for the GTD class win. I’m greatly looking forward to driving the Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 and I can’t wait to get up to speed quickly at the Roar Before the 24 and have a better understanding of where we stand against the rest of the field. I would like to express my thanks to JG Wentworth for this excellent opportunity and I’m happy to be able to work with team owner Andris Laivins once again.”
The team is participating in the IMSA homologation test at Daytona International Speedway this week in preparation for the 2024 season, which gets underway at DIS with the Roar Before the 24 on Jan. 19-21, followed by the Rolex 24 at Daytona the following weekend.