United Signs McCusker for Watkins Glen LMP3 Outing

United Autosports has finalized its driver lineup for its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP3 debut at Watkins Glen with the signing of 2019 IMSA Prototype Challenge champion Austin McCusker.

The 23-year-old American driver will team up with the previously confirmed Niklas Kruetten and Edouard Cauhaupe for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on June 27.

McCusker is set for his first appearance with reigning Asian and European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion United, but has experience with several other LMP3 teams.

He contested the IMSA season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona with Riley Motorsports, before joining Forty7 Motorsports for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

McCusker was initially on the entry list for Watkins Glen with Forty7.

The first of those two 2021 IMSA outings came in a Ligier JS P320 Nissan, while Watkins Glen will mark a return to that car type for McCusker, who drove a Duqueine D08 at Sebring. He won the 2019 IPC title in a Forty7 Norma alongside Rodrigo Pflucker.

McCusker also drives a Nielsen Racing-prepared Ligier full-time in the ELMS.

“I am very excited to join United Autosports for the upcoming Watkins Glen six-hour race,” he said.

“It is one of the most iconic endurance races in the world and as a New Yorker, it’s my home race.

“I would like to thank Zak Brown, Richard Dean and United Autosports’ partners, as well as my own, for their faith in me and I will do all I can to finish on the top step with my teammates next weekend.”

United Autosports is also running an Oreca 07 Gibson in the LMP2 class at Watkins Glen for Wayne Boyd, Guy Smith and Jim McGuire.

Its LMP3 lineup is so far only confirmed for Watkins Glen, while Kruetten is the only member of the trio also signed up for Motul Petit Le Mans at the end of the season.

“I’d like to welcome Austin to the team for Watkins Glen,” said United co-owner Richard Dean.

“He is the perfect addition to the team as we make our LMP3 debut in America. He has the knowledge of the track and the car and is a former IMSA champion, so I’m sure his input will be valuable for the team and Niklas and Edouard.”