IMSA ‘Resilient Racers’ Program Returns to Indy for Second Year

IMSA’s Resilient Racers program returns for a second consecutive year at the next WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Done in collaboration with IMSA’s two proud charity partners, the Austin Hatcher Foundation and Camp Boggy Creek, the program looks to build on a successful 2025 debut.

September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Resilient Racers program was created to raise awareness and funds so both charities can continue providing vital resources, programs, and care to children and families who are bravely facing pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses.

A total of 25 of the 42 Resilient Racers families will attend the TireRack Battle on the Bricks, giving them the chance to be a part of an IMSA race weekend with opportunities to meet the team and drivers they’ve been paired with and see their name on the race car (and also in IMSA’s Fan and Spotters Guides).

Fans can support the Resilient Racers program – and their favorite team – by making a donation at this link which will benefit both the Austin Hatcher Foundation and Camp Boggy Creek.

Since race teams – and fans – love competition, fans can assign their donation to their favorite WeatherTech Championship team, providing bragging rights to the team that raises the most money for the Resilient Racers program.

There is also an IMSA Resilient Racers t-shirt available to purchase on the Team IMSA website with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the two charities.

WeatherTech Championship teams have embraced the program beyond just putting a child’s name on their car.

Several teams are hosting garage tours for the child and family they are paired with, some conducting virtual meet-and-greets with those not in attendance, including the child on hero/autograph cards or even having their Resilient Racer join the drivers during Saturday’s full-field autograph session.

The entire WeatherTech Championship paddock rallied around the program last year, earning all of the teams the IMSA Team Marketing Award for their participation in the inaugural Resilient Racers program.

Of note, Austin “Hatch” Osborne’s name will be featured on the No. 68 YRB Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation was founded in December 2006 by Dr. James and Mrs. Amy Jo Osborn months after their son, Austin Hatcher Osborn, passed away from a very rare and aggressive form of brain and spinal tumors.

This year marks 20 years since the foundation’s establishment.

“The Resilient Racers program is a powerful example of how we merge the world of motorsports with our mission to empower families facing childhood cancer,” said Amy Jo Osborn, CEO and co-founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

“At the Austin Hatcher Foundation, we use racing as a platform to teach resilience, teamwork, and perseverance – qualities that our children and families live out every day.

“Our partnership with IMSA, which has spanned over a decade, allows us to bring this to life on an incredible stage, connecting the racing community with a cause that truly changes lives.

“Together, we’re not only building champions on the track but also building strength and hope for families across the country.”

Camp Boggy Creek will have its co-founder, Paul Newman, featured on the No. 36 DXDT Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

The camp is celebrating 30 years of providing children with serious illnesses the opportunity to experience a free, life-changing camp in a safe, medically-sound environment.

“Camp Boggy Creek is incredibly grateful for our partnership with IMSA and the opportunity the Resilient Racers program creates for our campers and families,” said Patrick Chapin, CEO of Camp Boggy Creek.

“The Battle on the Bricks is a wonderful opportunity to bring the racing community and our Camp community together, and we are excited to see the teams, drivers and camper families connect and share in such a special experience.

“Partnerships like this help create the moments of belonging, confidence and joy that are at the heart of Camp Boggy Creek.”

In the lead up to the Sept. 18-20 race weekend, there is a new Resilient Racers component this year that will incorporate the virtual racing world.

The IMSA Resilient Racers 240 esports race on iRacing, run in collaboration with Grid Finder and with support from leading esports community outlet Traxion.gg, will be a virtual two-hour, 40-minute race with more than 40 LMP2 cars that also will feature the children’s names on the cars.

This virtual race will run Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. EST, a week before the Battle on the Bricks. There’s a charitable component here too as fans can donate to assign virtual penalties for entertainment purposes.