The Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport (WTRAndretti) stable of Lamborghini Super Trofeo drivers look to continue their momentum from the season opener at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca into this weekend at Watkins Glen International.

 

DOUBLE DUTY

Entering the weekend at Watkins Glen, co-drivers Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal return as the current championship leaders in the PRO class as well as defending winners after back-to-back LST wins in 2022. The 2023 weekend at Watkins Glen will provide a new challenge to Marcelli and Formal as they also join former WTRAndretti LST teammate Ashton Harrison when the trio competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen this weekend on top of both Lamborghini Super Trofeo races.

 

LOOKING FOR THE WIN

Ohio-native Ryan Norman made his intentions clear in his Lamborghini Super Trofeo debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, finishing second overall on the podium in both races and within striking distance of the No. 1 WTRAndretti. Although he has never raced at Watkins Glen in LST, Norman finished on the podium the last time he raced around the classic New York track in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

 

PERSING JOINS STACY IN NO. 8 PROAM ENTRY

In the opening rounds of LST competition, Nate Stacy earned two top-five finishes in the competitive PRO class category. For Watkins Glen, Stacy and the No. 8 WTRAndretti Huracan Evo 2 will be joined by Nick Persing, entering the PRO|AM class. This weekend will mark Persing’s debut in sportscar racing after most recently racing in the Formula Regional Americas Championship across the United States.

 

STELLAR ROOKIE DEBUT

Rookie Graham Doyle completed his first race weekend last month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, bringing home fourth and sixth place finishes in his No. 10 DEX Imaging with WTRAndretti Huracan Evo 2. Doyle looks strong to reach the LB Cup podium this weekend at the 3.4-mile road course. Watkins Glen will be another new track for the 17-year-old driver who heavily utilizes simulator driving to get accustomed to the various racetracks across the schedule.

 

On-track action for LST at Watkins Glen begins with practice for all classes Thursday, June 22 at 10:45 a.m. ET. Round 3 will see the green flag fly at 2:25 p.m. ET on Friday, June 23, for the first 50-minute race of the doubleheader followed by Race 2 on Saturday, June 24, at 11:10 a.m. ET. All race coverage will be available on IMSA.TV.

 

DRIVER QUOTES

Kyle Marcelli, No. 1 WTRAndretti (PRO)

“Watkins Glen is one of my favorite race circuits on our schedule. I love the high-speed, high-grip nature of the circuit. Arriving this year with a new tire manufacturer for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo certainly raises some questions in terms of our set-up direction and also performance and reliability. Nonetheless, I trust the hands preparing our car and know that WTRAndretti will give us the best car.” 

 

"With these short 50-minute races, qualifying position is key as well as making no silly mistakes in the race. That said, we will have a strong emphasis on qualifying speed, then focus to manage the tire in the race. As always looking forward to sharing the cockpit with Danny and putting on a good show for our team partners and fans.”

 

Danny Formal, No. 1 WTRAndretti (PRO)

“Well, here we go into my first double weekend with WTRAndretti. I’m excited to be back with Racers Edge with WTRAndretti in the Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 and back with Harrison Contracting, WTRAndretti in Lamborghini Super Trofeo (LST) at my favorite track in the country: Watkins Glen. After two LST wins a Laguna Seca, Kyle and I are working towards our goals of winning the North American championship and fighting for the world championship later this year. I’m so truly thankful for this opportunity to represent such prestigious teams and help new drivers reach their goals!”

 

Ryan Norman, No. 84 WTRAndretti (PRO)

“Very excited to be getting back to racing this weekend! Watkins Glen is one of my favorite tracks and I’m really excited to continue the growth we made in Laguna Seca and build that success into this weekend. I’m ready to give it everything I have to turn those two second-place finishes into two wins for this weekend!”

 

Nate Stacy, No. 8 WTRAndretti (PRO|AM)

“I’m super stoked to have a new co-driver for the rest of the season! I think Nick and I can really fight for the win in the Pro|Am class. I love driving at Watkins Glen. I think it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar and hope to be standing on the top step of the podium by the end of the weekend!”

 

Nick Persing, No. 8 WTRAndretti (PRO|AM)

“I am honored to be joining such an established team like WTRAndretti.  It will definitely be something I look back on as an accomplishment in my racing career.  I am also extremely excited to be working with Nate in this upcoming race.  I think his experience in GT cars will help me get a jump on the learning curve.  I don’t want to set expectations too high seeing as I’ve never driven the car before, but I have a feeling we will be challenging for podiums and wins in Pro-Am in no time.”

 

Graham Doyle, No. 10 DEX Imaging with WTRAndretti (LB Cup)

“I’m looking forward to Watkins Glen. It’s a new track, new place and my second real venue I’ve ever raced before. I think after my success at Laguna Seca, finishing fourth and sixth in both races, I’m really getting comfortable in the car. Through my preparations, both through sim work and spending time training with the other drivers on the team up in Indianapolis, I’ve put in the time and think we’re going to see some success at Watkins Glen.”

 

 

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ABOUT WTRANDRETTI'S DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Wayne Taylor Racing, now with Andretti Autosport (WTRAndretti), is a leader in sportscar racing, recognized worldwide for fielding championship winning racing efforts since 2007. WTRAndretti has run a stable of championship winning cars and drivers in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series for over half a decade, forming the basis of their Driver Development Program. Since its inception in 2015, the team has clinched eight North American PRO Driver, Team and Dealer Championship titles, fielded the first woman World Finals race winner and became the overall 2017 Champions at the World Finals in Imola, Italy. WTRAndretti's Driver Development program has grown into interim classes and series as it evolves to encompass a greater variety of skill and experience levels. WTRAndretti currently fields a GTP program with it Championship winning No 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 effort as well as GT3 programs in both the IMSA Michelin Endurance Championship and Fanatec GT World Challenge with Harrison Contracting Company, Acura, Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Racers Edge Motorsports.

 

For more information on Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport’s Driver Development Program and how to get involved, contact Travis Houge at info@waynetaylorracing.com .