Segal to Sub for Balzan in Detroit

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Jeff Segal will sub for Alessandro Balzan at the wheel of the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 in this weekend’s Chevrolet Sports Car Classic at Belle Isle, it has been revealed.

Segal has been drafted back into the WeatherTech-sponsored Ferrari alongside Cooper MacNeil due to a “minor medical procedure” for Balzan this week that has ruled the two-time and defending GT Daytona class champion out of the race.

It will mark Gold-rated Segal’s second IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship start of the season, after teaming with MacNeil, Balzan and Gunnar Jeannette for a 10th place class finish in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“First I of course have to extend my best wishes to Alessandro this weekend,” Segal said. “It’s not an easy situation to fill-in for someone like this, but I’m sure he’ll be back quickly.

“Scuderia Corsa is a team I’ve been very comfortable with for a long time, and very much feel like a family every time I return to their paddock.”

MacNeil and Balzan currently sit fourth in the GTD title race heading into Saturday’s street race.

“It is tough that Ale won’t drive this weekend but I know that Jeff will do a great job,” MacNeil said. “Jeff has been with us for every race this year and has a great feel for the team, the data, and the car.

“It will be a good warm-up for him as we also have the official Le Mans practice day on Sunday.”

Following Saturday’s 100-minute race, both MacNeil and Segal will fly directly to France for the Le Mans Test Day, where they will be joined by Liam Griffin in the No. 84 JMW Motorsport Ferrari 488 GTE.

A number of other WeatherTech Championship drivers, including Ricky Taylor, Christina Nielsen, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Ben Keating, will also be making the dash across the Atlantic for the mandatory single-day test ahead of the June 16-17 endurance classic.

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