Conway, Kobayashi Confirm Cadillac Departures

Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi have both confirmed that they will not return to Action Express Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next season.

Both drivers concluded their respective terms as endurance drivers for the No. 31 and No. 48 Cadillac DPi-V.R. with overall podium finishes in the Motul Petit Le Mans season finale.

The pair of Toyota factory drivers had been frequent addition to Action Express’ roster for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds in recent years.

With Cadillac set to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship with its LMDh car next year, the IMSA tenures for both drivers have come to an end.

This is in contrast to fellow Toyota star Brendon Hartley, who was announced Monday as the fourth driver at Wayne Taylor Racing for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Acura is not competing in WEC next season.

“Finishing P2 at Petit Le Mans was a great way to sign off this year’s season, and my final race with the team,” Conway said.

“It’s been an amazing six years with the Action Express and Cadillac crew – we’ve had some amazing results and memories along the way and I wish them luck in all their future endeavors”

Conway, who had been with the team since 2017, racked up finishes at Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans, helping the likes of Pipo Derani, Eric Curran and Felipe Nasr to secure DPi titles.

He closed off his time with Action Express finishing second during the 2022 finale.

“(My stints) were quite good,” he said.

Then, I went back out in the night, I just had some crap traffic for about five or six laps in a row.

“I thought I couldn’t do anything right out there. Then, it seemed to be OK after that.

“Pipo pushed really hard to the end and that was pretty cool. He brought home a good result.

“It was crazy with the two Cadillacs coming together somewhat and then what happened to the No. 10 Acura. It was a crazy finish.”

Similarly, Kobayashi confirmed on social media that he would not return to Action Express next season.

The Japanese ace made his IMSA debut with Wayne Taylor Racing at Daytona in 2019 and scored back-to-back overall victories at the event.

He would then go on to become part of the No. 48 Cadillac crew alongside Jimmie Johnson and the likes of Simon Pagenaud, Jose Maria Lopez and Mike Rockenfeller for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds.

He notably also competed in a one-off GTD Pro outing with Vasser Sullivan at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park earlier this year.

“Thank you guys, I loved to be here,” he said.

“IMSA, thank you, and of course all the U.S. fans. I definitely racing in the United States.

“And of course Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express, who brought me here. It was a great opportunity and I definitely had a good time.

“I would say thank to Jimmie and Mike for the last race. I hope one day I will come back to IMSA.

“I want to see racing here again. Thank you.”