Father-Son Palmer Duo in Jr III Ligier LMP3 for Daytona

Jr III Racing will field the father-son duo of Greg and Eric Palmer in the No. 3 Ligier JS P3 Nissan for next weekend’s IMSA Prototype Challenge season-opener at Daytona, as part of the Roar Before the Rolex 24.

Greg Palmer drove for Kelly Moss Road and Race in 2017-18 in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA before joining his son last year co-driving an Audi R8 in Pirelli GT4 America competition. 

Prior to that, Palmer coached his son at track days before Eric began competing in the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup in 2019, driving for Copeland Motorsports.

The move to the LMP3 ranks marks a new chapter for the Palmers as they grow their racing resume.

“It’s going to be kind of overwhelming to be racing in a new series at Daytona,” Greg Palmer said.

“Hopefully, Eric and I will be driving with big smiles on our faces when we drive on the big oval for the first time. Getting to be at a legendary track with an amazing car is going to be an incredible experience.”

Jr III Racing made a pair of exploratory outings at the end of the 2019 campaign, resulting in a pair of Bronze Cup victories for veteran driver Kris Wilson.

Driving a Ligier LMP3 car prepared by accomplished engineer Rick Cameron, Wilson finished ninth at Virginia International Raceway and eighth in the season finale at Road Atlanta to claim the Bronze Cup.

“We tested the Ligier with Jr III at Carolina Motorsports Park a few weeks ago,” Greg Palmer said. “I loved the car. I’ve been watching those types of cars for years, but my only time in one before was running five laps in a Ligier at Road America two years ago at a private test.

“To me, the Ligier feels like a real race car. The Porsche and the Audi were great, but the Ligier is the full experience – the sound, the vibration, the seating position, the ability to be at eye-level with the apex – is perfect.

“It’s exactly what I’m looking for.”

Eric, 20, is finishing his final exams at Lake Forest College near Chicago.

“For years, Eric and I had our eyes on the Prototype as the ultimate race car,” Greg Palmer said. “I wanted to see if he was ready at the Carolina test. He got out of the car with his eyes wide open, and now he’s ready to race it at Daytona.”

“Our expectations for Daytona is to have a great time and walk away with a terrific experience,” Greg Palmer said. “If we like it enough, we’ll keep moving on and do the Sebring event in March.”

Jr III has a second brand-new Ligier LMP3 that could be utilized as soon as Sebring based on how programs come together for the re-formatted IPC series.

The three-hour Daytona season-opener is set to take the green flag at 12:15 p.m. ET on Sat., Jan. 4.