HART Confirms NAEC Effort with Eversley, Gilsinger

Photo: Honda

HART has confirmed that it will enter an Acura NSX GT3 in the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races, with Ryan Eversley and Chad Gilsinger confirmed as the first two drivers.

The Ohio-based team, made up of Honda of America engineers and staff, sat out this year to focus on assisting Michael Shank Racing’s two-car Acura effort as well as save resources for its planned IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship effort.

As reported by Sportscar365, HART had been working towards a Patron Endurance Cup program throughout this year.

“This is definitely a dream come true for me,” said Gilsinger. “This is what I have been working towards since I started driving and am very honored to take this next step with my team, my co-workers, and my friends.

“They all have been instrumental in getting us here and I’m glad they trust me enough to put me in this position.

“Of course I also have to thank HPD for this opportunity and Honda of America Manufacturing and PMC for their support of our team.”

Eversley, who drove an Acura for RealTime Racing in Pirelli World Challenge this year, is no stranger to the team, having teamed with Gilsinger for multiple ST class wins in Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition.

“We’ve had some really good success together in the past and I’m honored that they would choose me to drive for them while taking on the biggest challenge in their programs history,” Eversley said.

“The team learned a lot working with Michael Shank Racing last season and with my background in the NSX I think together, we’ll be in the hunt for the NAEC championship.”

The remainder of the team’s lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which will feature a four-driver crew, has yet to be announced.

“This has been a long time dream for the team,” said crew chief Andrew Salzano. “We have worked really hard to get here and multiple people have committed countless hours of personal time to make it happen.

“We are all very excited to get this opportunity but now we have a lot of work to do in a short period of time.”

HART team manager Kurt Baker added: “[The Rolex 24] has been one of those bucket list races for the team and we are all excited to check that one off the list.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John