New, Returning Drivers in Jr III Lineup

Photo: Sam Cobb/IMSA

Jr III Racing will return to IMSA Prototype Challenge competition with new and returning faces.

The Mooresville-based team will field the No. 3 Ligier JS P320 Nissan of Terry Olson and Courtney Crone and the No. 33 Airbnb-sponsored Ligier of Ari Balogh in the season opener endurance race at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 22.

Olson returns to the team for his first full season campaign after making two starts with the team at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in 2021.

In both outings, Olson scored podium results including the team’s first IMSA podium.

“Everything that I experienced last year during my two weekends with the team made me want to come back and do more,” said Olson. “Billy [Glavin, team owner] has a fantastic organization that I am thrilled to be a part of.

“Courtney is an up and coming driver that is a professional to work with. I’m really looking forward to getting to the track and competing with Courtney and Jr III Racing.”

Crone made her sports car debut last year with a full season campaign in IPC, driving for Forty7 Motorsports and is set to experience the Ligier platform for the first time.

“Working with Jr III Racing and Terry is a great opportunity for me and I can not wait to get going at Daytona,” said Crone.

“The entire team has been very welcoming and a pleasure to work with already.”

Completing the team’s Roar Before the 24 lineup, Balogh will pilot the No. 33 entry for the three-hour endurance race.

In addition to his IPC duties, Balogh and Garett Grist will run in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship beginning with the first full-season points-paying round of the season at Sebring International Raceway in March.

The team has elected to skip this month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona as it does not count towards the season-long championship.

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