CORE Opts for Continuity in LMP3 Crew

Jon Bennett and Colin Braun will continue for another season together at CORE autosport in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s LMP3 class.

The long-standing driver pairing, which is entering its tenth year of North American competition, will share the No. 54 CrowdStrike Ligier JS P320 Nissan next season after finishing second in the 2021 standings behind champion Gar Robinson.

CORE has also announced that George Kurtz will carry on as Bennett and Braun’s additional co-driver for the four Michelin Endurance Cup races.

The only new recruit to the team’s 2022 driving roster is Nic Jonsson, who will be added to the crew for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“I am extremely pleased with our 2022 driver lineup,” said Bennett.

“Obviously, Colin and I have a longstanding relationship and his talent is off the charts.

“I really enjoyed working with George last year and he clearly has the pace to help us win races. He’s fit in well with the team and I think we can get some more IMSA wins on his scorecard.

“Having Nic back to complete our Daytona lineup is outstanding because he knows CORE and he’ll hit the ground running with us.”

Bennett and Braun claimed two victories last season, with their first coming at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring alongside Kurtz.

The full-time pairing then reached victory lane again at Road America after achieving a brace of podiums in the two rounds at Watkins Glen.

“I am very excited to be back with CORE for 2022,” said Braun.

“This group is like family to me, we learned so much last year and are extremely motivated to fight for wins and the championship!

“Driving alongside Jon for this many years is very special. We have a great relationship and both want the same thing out of the car.

“George did an incredible job in his first year of the WeatherTech series and I know he will be even stronger in 2022 since he’s seen all the tracks and gotten a feel for the flow of the races.

“Bringing Nic back to the lineup is a no-brainer, he’s very familiar with how we work at CORE and he’s such an experienced and well-rounded driver. I can’t wait to get back on track.”

Jonsson last drove for CORE in 2017 when he served as the Endurance Cup driver for the team’s GTD campaign with Porsche.

“I’m very excited to rejoin the CORE autosport team for the 2022 Rolex 24,” he said.

“Since I’ve been working with a lot of the CORE people over the years, it truly feels like coming back home with all familiar faces.

“Being able to share the car with Colin, Jon and George is a great opportunity with a very strong and experienced crew and engineering staff. I’m very excited to race in the LMP3 category for the first time in Daytona.”