Kelly, Pierson Set for LMP2 Sprint Effort in No. 52 PR1 Entry

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Patrick Kelly will make his return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the first time since winning the LMP2 title in 2020, joined by 16-year-old Josh Pierson for the sprint races in PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports’ No. 52 Oreca 07 Gibson.

The duo have been confirmed as co-drivers for a three-race campaign beginning with this weekend’s Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship Presented by Motul at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, followed by outings at Mid-Ohio and Road America.

Ben Keating, Mikkel Jensen and Scott Huffaker, who claimed top class honors in last month’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, meanwhile, will return to the No. 52 car for the two remaining Michelin Endurance Cup races at Watkins Glen and Motul Petit Le Mans.

Sportscar365 understands that the team had hoped to field the lineup in several WeatherTech Championship last year but was denied by IMSA due to Pierson’s age of 15 at the time.

“It’s great to have Pat back and being able to pair him up with Josh is such a great way to start the short event calendar for the No. 52 car,” said team principal Bobby Oergel.”I am very much looking forward to getting back on track.”

Bronze-rated Kelly, who focused his racing efforts on making his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, said his return to IMSA competition “brings a big smile to my face.”

Pierson, meanwhile, shifts over from PR1/Mathiasen’s No. 11 entry where he serves as the third driver for the Endurance Cup races.

He is also undertaking a full season of the FIA World Endurance Championship and recently became the youngest-ever winner in series’ history at Sebring.

“Looking forward to Laguna, and to be back in the car near home,” said the Washington native. “I’m very excited to see what we can do this weekend as a team.

“It will be my first short format race with IMSA and it’s going to be tough competing with the gold and platinum drivers, but I’m eager to give it a shot.”

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