Wright Confirms Long, Hardwick for 2021

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Wright Motorsports has confirmed an unchanged full-season driver lineup of Patrick Long and Ryan Hardwick for the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

The pairing, who finished runner-up in the GT Daytona class championship, will again be joined by Jan Heylen for the Michelin Endurance Cup races with Klaus Bachler returning for next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“We’re thrilled to be back for another year with the same group we had for 2020,” said team owner John Wright.

“Consistency was a big part of our success last year, and we’re starting off 2021 on the right foot by continuing with our proven formula.

“From the drivers, to the crew and sponsors, we really created a great organization, and I’m proud to have Wright Motorsports back for another year with all these people and partners.”

The team finished two points behind the class champions, with four podiums and eight top-five finishes.

Their season-long progression culminated with victory at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, clinching the team’s first endurance win of its 20-year history.

The No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R will again sport the blue, black, and white livery, showcasing the primary sponsorship from 1st Phorm, a leader in nutrition and sports performance supplements.

Mountain Motorsports, a powersports dealership owned by Ryan Hardwick, will continue its support of the team, also joined by Una Vida Tequila, who first joined early into the 2020 season.

“I’m really excited to be back with the same program that had a lot of success in the first year, and I’m looking to building on that success,” said Hardwick.

“For me personally, I’m really focused on continuing to improve as a driver and as a teammate. We expect to continue our 2020 success.

“The 2021 season will be even more competitive, with even more cars, great drivers, and strong teams to compete against.

“We feel we’re the best prepared team going into the new season, and we’re going to capitalize on our momentum from our Sebring victory to battle for that top step at Daytona.”

Long added: “I revel in the aspect of continuity. Having the band back together helps a lot with a view of keeping the momentum of where we left off in 2020.

“I expect the competition to only ramp up, so the work starts now and through the green dropping for the Rolex 24 in just over a month from now.

“Grateful to have our sponsors and partners back on board. I am looking forward to this.”

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