Hardwick to Step Back from Full-Time Driving After Petit Le Mans

Photo: Porsche

Ryan Hardwick will step back from full-time driving following Saturday’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans, following an illustrious career as one of the most successful FIA Bronze-rated drivers.

The 45-year-old Georgia native, who has earned no fewer than six championship titles around the globe, told Sportscar365 there’s “nothing left for me to prove” in sports car racing, as he intends to spend more time with his family.

“It’s difficult to walk away from something you love even when you realize it’s time,” said Hardwick.

“I have spent my entire life racing and competing. I’ve devoted so much time, effort and energy into becoming the best possible competitor that I can be.

“I’ve failed, I’ve crashed, and I’ve hurt myself more times than I care to remember. But I’ve also achieved success that I never dreamed possible.”

Hardwick said his “crowning achievement” in his racing career was winning the 2025 LMGT3 title in the FIA World Endurance Championship and becoming only the second American driver to claim the world championship as well as the ‘triple crown’ of endurance class wins at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.

In addition, Hardwick racked up championships in IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, Michelin Pilot Challenge, the European Le Mans Series, GT World Challenge America powered by AWS as well as Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, including a World Finals class title.

Most of his recent achievements have come at the wheel of Porsche 911 GT3 Rs fielded by Wright Motorsports, and more recently Manthey, where his is concluding his IMSA Endurance Cup campaign in the team’s No. 912 entry this weekend.

“For me, the best part of it all has been sharing these experiences with my family,” he said.

“It hasn’t been easy for them. Especially Whitney. Racing at this level is hard for any spouse, especially knowing what the consequences of mistakes are.

“Whitney has received the telephone call that no wife wants to get. ‘Hello Ma’am, your husband has been in a crash and is in the hospital. He is stable, but how soon can you get here?’

“Even after going through something like that, Whitney always supported me. She understood when I told her that I had to get back into the race car, because I wasn’t finished, and I knew that I was capable of so much more.

“It’s because of her love, dedication and support of my dreams that gave me the motivation to go back, and win the championships that I did. And I will always love her for it.

“While this decision has been hard, I am at peace with it.

“It’s time to take a step back. It’s time to devote more of my time, effort and energy with my family.

“My two sons have dreams of their own that they are chasing, and I want to be there to love and support them every step of the way on their own journeys.

“I will always love racing and I will deeply miss competing at the highest level. But I have done my part, and it has been one hell of a good ride.”

Hardwick said he’s hoping to go out on a high note in Saturday’s ten-hour enduro at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, his home track, and with this year’s race coinciding with his birthday.

“It’s a fitting farewell to the sport I love so much,” he added.

Hardwick is the second high-profile Bronze driver to announce plans of bowing out of full-time driving, following news that Ben Keating will also not continue racing in a full season capacity next year.

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