Rockwell Autosport Confirms Daytona TCR Plans

Rockwell Autosport Development has confirmed an entry into the first round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season at Daytona International Speedway.

The team’s single entry to the M Endurance Challenge at Daytona will be driven by team principal Eric Rockwell, long-time crew chief Doug Oakley, and former TCR race winner Tom O’Gorman.

The trio will pilot a Gen 1 Audi RS 3 LMS TCR SEQ.

Rockwell Autosport campaigned a two-car effort in the 2023 Pilot Challenge season, both finishing top-ten in the team’s championship.

Team principal Eric Rockwell drove eight rounds last year between the two entries in addition to handling team manager responsibilities. He returns to the driver lineup for Daytona.

“After consecutive sixth place finishes in Daytona in 2022 and 2023, I’m looking for more,” Rockwell ssaid. “The Audi has historically been a quick car at Daytona and looking to see if we can capitalize on that.

“I can’t think of two guys that deserve this opportunity more than Doug and Tom and I’m excited to be able to drive with them.”

O’Gorman, the 2018 IMSA TCR Pole Award winner and four-time race winner, joined the team for the 2023 Daytona round but the car was retired before O’Gorman’s scheduled stint in the race.

“I’m over the moon to be back in IMSA with Rockwell,” he said. “Last year felt like a homecoming of sorts having been away from the IMSA paddock since 2019 – simply the opportunity to be back was amazing.

“But, with our race ending before I got in the car, I’m feeling hungry this year. We definitely have unfinished business and I’m fired up to get back behind the wheel.”

Oakley has been a crew chief and strategist since the team joined the IMSA grid in 2021.

Also a long-time friend of the family and team, Oakley has been competing in grassroots endurance racing with Rockwell for many years and will be stepping into the driver role for the first time in IMSA competition.

“I’m beyond excited to be making the move from behind the wall to behind the wheel,” said Oakley. “Driving has always been my passion but you need to work your way up for opportunities like this.

“After the last three years of watching and learning I’m ready to take the next step, and nowhere better to take that step than Daytona.”