Kirchhoefer Replaces Juncadella in Corvette Enduro Lineup

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Marvin Kirchhoefer will join Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports for the three long-distance IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races next year, in the only change to the team’s lineup for the 2026 season.

Confirmed on Tuesday, the McLaren Automotive factory driver on-loan will contest the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans in the No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R alongside defending GTD Pro class champions Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims.

Kirchhoefer, who won in his only previous start in a Z06 GT3.R at this year’s Rolex 24 with GTD customer squad AWA, replaces Dani Juncadella, who has moved on to Genesis Magma Racing’s Hypercar effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The 31-year-old German, who contested the 2024 GTD Pro season in Pfaff Motorsports’ McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, will begin testing with the Pratt Miller-run factory supported squad this week.

“I’m very honored and privileged to be part of such a great team and manufacturer in IMSA,” said Kirchhoefer. “Racing for a team like Pratt Miller and representing Chevrolet and Corvette as a brand is something that we European guys dream of.

“There’s nothing better than to be racing in the IMSA championship. I’m very excited to start this next chapter in my life.

“It obviously got off to a great start earlier this year in Daytona with AWA and winning in my first time in the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. I’m very excited for the things that are going to come in the future.

“I genuinely enjoyed working with everyone on the program from Chevrolet and GM. There’s great, great potential.

“The team has shown it already winning the GTD Pro championship this year, which was a great effort.

“I followed the race and was very happy that the guys got the title. I’m really excited, looking forward and feeling very pumped and motivated to get this new chapter started.

“I can’t wait to have the first crack at the race in Daytona next year.”

Continuity Highlights Remainder of Pratt Miller Lineup

The No. 4 Corvette will continue to be driven by Nicky Catsburg and Tommy Milner for the full season, again joined by Nico Varrone for Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

The full-season driver quartet combined for nine podiums during the past season, including a win at Virginia International Raceway for Sims and Garcia, with runner-up class finishes for Milner and Catsburg at both Motul Petit Le Mans and the Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

The 2026 WeatherTech Championship season will mark the third year with the Pratt Miller-built GT3-spec Corvette.

“The driver groups are strong and the Corvette going into its third year keeps getting better,” said Garcia. “Alex and I obviously get along great and work very well together.

“Adding such a strong driver like Marvin makes us that much stronger, and I’m looking forward to having him with us.”

Sims added: “It’s a pleasure to be back with Antonio and to race with Marvin, who is someone we all recognize as highly talented and very fast.

“It will be nice to have his experience in the lineup. There’s no reason that we shouldn’t contend for another championship and hopefully some key race wins, starting with Daytona.”

While the 2026 season will mark Garcia’s 18th year as a Corvette factory driver, Milner will begin his 16th year in the same position alongside Catsburg and Varrone, who will dovetail his three-race GTD Pro effort with a return to open-wheel racing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

“Obviously it’s great to have Nico back again with us in the 4 car again,” said Milner. “I’m excited for his future as well with his F2 program. It’s great to have him stay true to its roots in sports cars and with Corvette. He’s a great teammate.

“Then certainly having Marvin join the team is important. I don’t know him very well but he seems very well-liked by our guys that know him.

“Obviously he had a great Daytona last year in winning with the AWA team. I’m excited to work with him and excited to defend our championship again.”

Catsburg added:  “I’m very thrilled to have Marvin as a third driver with Antonio and Alex. He’s a great guy.

“I’ve been racing with him for many years. We’re friends and it’s nice to have another cool guy in the team.

“I’m really looking forward to hanging out with all of them and cannot wait to get started to be honest.”

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