Mike Rockenfeller – Syndication Server

Ford shuffles GTD PRO driver line-up for 2025 IMSA season

Ford Multimatic Motorsports will have a radically different driver line-up for the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, with only Mike Rockenfeller held over from the 2024 full-season group. Ford factory drivers Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch will pilot the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, while Multimatic driver Seb Priaulx, who scored two victories with AO Racing in GTD PRO in 2024, will join Rockenfeller in the No. 65.

“Race drivers are the key differentiator in the battle for success on the track,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports, in a blog post. “At Ford, our drivers are more than competitors; they’re family. This sense of camaraderie makes decisions about our roster challenging and deeply personal. After closing out our debut IMSA season with the Mustang GT3 a month ago, the Ford Multimatic Motorsports team is focused on the 2025 season. This week we will be running at the traditional Daytona Test ahead of the first big race of 2025 and introducing our driver line-up — a blend of experience, youth, and exceptional talent.”

Mies and Vervisch were the endurance additions for Ford Multimatic Motorsports in 2024. They replace Joey Hand and Dirk Muller.

“It’s been a dream of mine to be in IMSA full-time,” said Mies. “I got a taste of the Mustang GT3 in this series during the endurance races, and we had some good results. The dream is now a reality. I’m looking forward to competing alongside Fred [Vervisch], who I’ve known for a long time. We know the team and car, so I’m excited to compete in this championship.”

Vervisch added: “It’s a big honor to be racing on the factory program in the No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3. Ford and Multimatic Motorsports have given so much trust in me, which means a lot. I will do everything I can, alongside Christopher and the entire team, to deliver results.”

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Priaulx, who did half the season with AO Racing before being called away to fulfill his duties with Multimatic, takes the place of Harry Tincknell alongside Rockenfeller.

“Multimatic Motorsports has been my home since Larry [Holt] gave me a chance in the Mustang during the 2019 season, so it’s nice to be back where I started in GT racing,” explained Priaulx. “I have experience competing in this championship, and I think we’ll bring a strong package into this upcoming year.”

For the endurance races, Ford Multimatic Motorsports called upon its WEC drivers. Dennis Olsen will join Mies and Vervisch, while Ben Barker will race with Rockenfeller and Priaulx.

Rushbrook offered appreciation for the drivers who helped develop the Mustang GT3 and raced it in its debut season.

“Race teams are always evolving in order to drive success forward and this infusion of fresh talent will accelerate the performance of Mustang GT3,” he said. “With these driver line-up changes, I wanted to talk about this year’s drivers: Joey Hand, Dirk Muller, and Harry Tincknell. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Joey, Dirk, and Harry for their invaluable contribution to the Mustang GT3’s journey. Their unrivaled expertise has been essential to the development of the Mustang GT3 and the hours they put in, pounding around race tracks across the US laid the groundwork for this race program. Joey and Dirk will always be special to Ford as they won Le Mans for us in 2016, and while they may not be in our IMSA squad this season, you certainly haven’t seen the last of them. In fact, you’ll soon hear more about Dirk’s latest endeavors.”

The Mustang GT3 had some struggles in its first races as the team discovered some issues running with other cars that didn’t occur in testing. As the season progressed, the Mustang GT3 developed some pace and the No. 64 found the podium on a couple of occasions with Rockenfeller and Tincknell, possibly setting the tone for success in the car’s sophomore season.

“I’m in my second year now with Ford Multimatic Motorsports after a good first year of learning and developing the car,” said Rockenfeller. “A lot of work has been done by the team since, and we’re quickly into 2025. We’re excited and motivated going into the second season of this program with Mustang GT3, and we are hopeful that we can start on the right foot at Daytona.”

Ford Multimatic Motorsports is one of the teams participating in the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

Ford’s progress beginning to click with the Mustang GT3

There’s little arguing that the inaugural season of the new Ford Mustang GT3 hasn’t, to this point, met expectations. Ford engaged longtime partner Multimatic to build its first real GT3 car, as well as run the team in GTD PRO. There have been flashes of speed and some results where Ford Multimatic Motorsports overcame a lack of pace to give the car a decent result, but overall there hasn’t been any real bright spots.

But this weekend at VIRginia International Raceway, the program certainly looks like it has turned a corner. Not only did the Mustangs have pace, they executed and produced the results. In qualifying for the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR, round nine of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and also the lone GT-only race of the season, not only did the two GTD PRO cars qualify third and fourth, but Giammarco Levorato captured the pole for GTD in the Proton Competition Mustang GT3 he shares with Corey Lewis. Although that pole position didn’t produce a victory, the PRO cars finished second and fourth, with Harry Tincknell and Mike Rockenfeller scoring their first podium in the No. 64 Mustang.

“It’s another advancement for the Mustang,” said Tincknell. “It’s been super strong. It earned the GTD pole yesterday with customer team Proton Competition and the first podium for us today in GTD PRO. I think every race we’re learning. It’s a brand new car this year. We’re taking giant leaps.

“I’ve just gradually got better, and this has been coming for a while. We led the race for a long while at Watkins Glen [International], but it didn’t quite work out. We were second in Mosport [Canadian Tire Motorsport Park], but didn’t quite get the podium there. The last time we were at Road America, we had some strong pace as well. It’s a huge credit to the boys and girls who are working on the car every day. We’re still finding so much in the electronics and modes. We’re racing against cars that have been out there – some seven or eight years. Of course, our learning curve is huge, but it feels great to be here. It’ll be even better when we’re one step higher. A second-place finish is fantastic, but having the No. 65 finish fourth to back it up was even better.”

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“It started this morning when [Ford Multimatic Motorsports team principal] Larry [Holt] had a meeting with all us drivers,” explained Joey Hand, driver of the No. 65 with Dirk Mueller. “He said, ‘Today’s the day that we’re going to execute.’ That’s what we did. In the background, we’ve been getting all the details right – like great pit stops, which we had again today. There is going to come a time when it all comes together. This time, we tested here and rolled off the trailer well. We kept improving on the car and qualified well. We tend to race better every race, and that’s what we did.”

Rockenfeller qualified the No. 64 fifth at Road America, but contact on the first lap and a subsequent penalty put paid to any chances of a good result. Sunday at VIR likely went a long way to erasing that memory. Granted, Tincknell and Rockenfeller had some help from a penalty for the No. 23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin, but even without that they were headed for a podium finish.

“Firstly, thanks to Multimatic Motorsports and Ford Performance,” said Rockenfeller. “It’s my first podium with the team. I’m really happy. Thanks to Harry. He’s done a great job all year long. Obviously, [Road America] was on me and I thought we had a really good chance there, but we moved on and it feels good. For the restart, I was checking more in the mirror because the Aston [Martin] boys were really fast. We could see that. My goal was really to stay in second. If there would have been a chance [at the lead], I would have loved to take the opportunity. It looked like the [Paul Miller Racing] BMW had it under control all race long. We’re quite happy to take this second place right now. A big credit to the team, because for us drivers, it’s frustrating for us not to be successful, but definitely for Ford, the mechanics and the team, I can only imagine what a relief it is for everybody.”

Whether the Mustang GT3 was just really good at VIR, or if the improvements are real and substantial, will be revealed in three weeks. The team is feeling confident that this is the start of more good things to come as the series heads to its final two races, a six-hour race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“I think we were discussing before that we thought Indy would be a good one,” Tincknell said. “The fact that we’ve got tests before both, I think that’s only going to help us. But I can say, I think every race we’ve just improved improved, improved a little bit, so we’d love to get that first win this year and go into [the] offseason buoyant. I think all the boys and girls on the car really deserve it for the amount of hours they put in [on] weekends, and obviously the backing from Ford as well has been unbelievable. It’s a family company, and it’s amazing to have Bill and Edsel [Ford] and Jim Fry, the CEO, really supporting us and being behind us all the way, and they’re encouraging us all the time. That first win is just around the corner, and it’s going to be special for them too.”

Mike Rockenfeller to drive for Legacy Motor Club at Charlotte ROVAL

Mike Rockenfeller will drive the No. 42 car for Legacy Motor Club in the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL.

[autotag]Legacy Motor Club[/autotag] has six races left to fill for the No. 42 car during the 2023 NASCAR season before John Hunter Nemechek takes over the ride on a full-time basis next season. To this point, Carson Hocevar has driven the entry during the 2023 NASCAR playoffs and has done a very good job. However, a different driver will be behind the wheel at the Charlotte ROVAL.

According to the NASCAR roster portal, [autotag]Mike Rockenfeller[/autotag] will drive the No. 42 car for Legacy Motor Club at the Charlotte ROVAL. Rockefeller, 39, has driven the entry two times during the 2023 season at the Indianapolis Road Course and Watkins Glen International for a best finish of 19th place.

This means the 39-year-old driver will compete in every remaining road course race after Noah Gragson’s suspension in early August. Rockenfeller should benefit from Legacy Motor Club’s improved performance over the last several weeks so it would not be too shocking to see him contending for a top-10 finish at the Charlotte ROVAL.

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Rockenfeller to race Legacy Motor Club No. 42 at Indy, Watkins Glen

Mike Rockenfeller will drive the No. 42 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club in the next two NASCAR Cup Series races as Noah Gragson continues to serve an indefinite suspension. Rockenfeller, a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, joins the team for the …

Mike Rockenfeller will drive the No. 42 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club in the next two NASCAR Cup Series races as Noah Gragson continues to serve an indefinite suspension.

Rockenfeller, a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, joins the team for the Indianapolis road course (Aug. 13) and Watkins Glen (Aug. 20) having previously made two starts with Spire Motorsports last season at Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval.

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“After racing with Jimmie in IMSA for two years and together in the Garage 56 program not only were we teammates, but we are now great friends,” Rockenfeller said. “To get to race for him in the NASCAR Cup Series for Legacy M.C. with him as a co-owner is such a true honor. It’s going to be a huge challenge as I have never raced at Indy.

“I was dreaming about being in a Cup Series car again and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I will try my best in this short timeframe to come together with the team and have a great race in Indy.”

Gragson was suspended by the team over the weekend after they were made aware of Gragson having liked an insensitive meme about the death of George Floyd on Instagram. NASCAR indefinitely suspended Gragson.

Josh Berry drove the No. 42 car at Michigan International Speedway. Berry finished 34th after crashing in Turn 4 on lap 51.

Rockenfeller has three wins in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series and earned the 2013 DTM championship, and while Sunday will be his third start in the NASCAR Cup series, it will be the first time he has run a stock car on the Indianapolis road course.

“Rocky and I were teammates and helped develop the G56 program,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t think of a better person to assist our Club in this tough situation. These back-to-back road course events will be great for Rocky from the technical side as they will bring out his expertise.

“Rocky is extremely knowledgeable and talented, and I know he will get us the best results possible.”

Podcast: Mike Rockenfeller on Garage 56 and beyond

Mike Rockenfeller believes the buzz from NASCAR’s entry in Le Mans is still going strong, and he’s still relishing having the opportunity to be a part of it. Among the topics “Rocky” (pictured at right, above, with G56 teammate Jenson Button) delves into on The Racing Writer’s Podcast is how the experience compared to his past Le Mans trips, navigating a change in his sports car career (as his own manager), and experiencing firsts in the United States.

The incredible podium record of Garage 56’s drivers

The Garage 56 program has assembled three drivers who’ve stood atop the world’s greatest podiums. Mike Rockenfeller, Jimmie Johnson, and Jenson Button share their stories from the FIA WEC’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 and Daytona …

Or CLICK HERE to watch on YouTube.

JDC-Miller Porsche GTP set for Laguna with Rockenfeller and van der Helm

Having taken delivery of its Porsche 963 LMDh, JDC-Miller MotorSports is planning its IMSA WeatherTech Championship GTP debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in two weeks with Mike Rockenfeller and Tijmen van der Helm as the drivers. The team’s …

“We are very proud to announce the new driver lineup for our 2023 GTP campaign with the Porsche 963,” said team managing partner John Church. “It represents a balance of youth and experience and features a tremendous amount of on-track success. This pairing combined with the Porsche 963 will allow us to compete for wins in IMSA.”

Rockenfeller has a long history in sports car competition, including stints as a factory driver for Porsche, Audi and Corvette. That includes a pair of victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as Daytona and Sebring, plus a DTM title. The German will be at Le Mans this year as part of the NASCAR Garage 56 program with Jjmmie Johnson and Jenson Button.

“I am excited to be part of this team and the Porsche 963 project,” said Rockenfeller. “Starting our GTP season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the fourth round of the season is going to be a challenge. I am confident the JDC-Miller MotorSports team is on a very steep learning curve and will compete with the GTP teams very quickly. So very happy to see my name back on a Porsche.”

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JDC-Miller entered the LMP3 class at Daytona and Sebring in preparation for competing with the 963, with a driver lineup that included van der Helm. In 2022, he competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class, including his first start at Le Mans.

“I am really happy to be a part of JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963 LMDh project,” the 19-year-old Dutch driver said. “To me it does not really matter that we start a bit later in the season. I think we as a team can maximize every opportunity we will get. Going to the Laguna race with a brand-new car will be tough, but I have no doubt that we will be competitive as a team. I look forward to the challenge and opportunity!”

JDC-Miller was announced as the first IMSA customer team for Porsche last July. But supply chain constraints left Porsche without the resources to deliver cars beyond the Porsche Penske Motorsports factory efforts before the start of the season. Both JDC-Miller and WEC team JOTA Sport received their 963s a few days ago.

The stalwart IMSA team, which competed with Cadillac in the final season of DPi competition last year, also runs programs in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and the Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR category.