Wright Confirms Two-Car Effort, Long to Join Hardwick

Photo: Porsche

Patrick Long will return to Wright Motorsports, having been confirmed alongside Ryan Hardwick in one of the team’s two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs for the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

The Porsche factory driver, who drove for Park Place Motorsports in GT Daytona competition this year, joins the previously announced Hardwick in the No. 16 entry for an expected full-season campaign.

Wright has not yet announced Anthony Imperato’s co-driver, in the second planned GTD entry.

Long is no stranger to the Ohio-based team, having driven for the John Wright-owned operation in GT World Challenge America competition this year, as well as in the WeatherTech Championship in 2018, paired with Christina Nielsen.

“I really like where we ended up in 2018 with Wright Motorsports in IMSA with our GTD effort,” Long said. “It’s great to get back into the groove and the plan is to pick up where we left off.

“Ryan is a refreshing personality and he seems as driven and focused as any driver on the grid, pro or not.

“That’s a great combination and I like where we have been able to get as teammates in a very short span of time. I am grateful to our partners in believing in our combination of a driving pair.”

Hardwick added: “As a long time Porsche enthusiast, I’ve been a fan and watched Pat compete for years. Getting the chance to actually race alongside and learn directly from him, is a real honor.”

It’s unclear if Wright will field both entries for the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, amid speculation that the team could combine its two season-long lineups into a single Porsche.

A team spokesperson declined to comment when asked by Sportscar365 on this matter.

“All we’re announcing right now is what’s in the release,” the spokesperson said.

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