Wright Motorsports will field only a single Porsche 911 GT3 R for the remainder of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, with plans for its WeatherTech Sprint Cup-only entry having been called off.
The Ohio-based team previously announced that it would run an additional GT Daytona entry for Jeroen Bleekemolen and Anthony Imperato in the seven-round Sprint Cup, joining its full-season Porsche of Patrick Long and Ryan Hardwick.
However, due to the impact of COVID-19 on sponsor Henry Repeating Arms, the No. 91 Porsche has been withdrawn.
“First and foremost we at Henry Repeating Arms send our condolences to all those who lost a loved one during this pandemic,” said Anthony Imperato Sr., President of Henry Repeating Arms.
“We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the frontline workers. We are truly disappointed to have to sideline our No. 91 Porsche for the balance of the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech series.
“Our New Jersey factory was shuttered for the past two and a half months and has only recently partially reopened. Our Wisconsin factory, while fully operational has been hampered by parts and materials shortages because of the virus.”
Team owner John Wright added: “The personal and economic impact we’ve seen nationwide from COVID-19 has been sad to see.
“The Imperatos have been a part of our team for many years, and it’s unfortunate Anthony Imperato and Jeroen Bleekemolen won’t be able to drive the No. 91 this season.
“We’ll continue to support our family at Henry Repeating Arms, and we look forward to their return to our on-track efforts.”
It’s unclear if Imperato will still be part of Wright’s lineup in the No. 16 car for the Michelin Endurance Cup races as initially planned.
That lineup will be confirmed at a “later date” according to a team statement.
“When our business normalizes, and this pandemic is behind us, we will return to race alongside the Wright Motorsports team as our love for the sport will never waver,” Imperato Sr. added.
“Our best to the series, our friends and competitors for a great run for the rest of the season.”
Wright’s No. 16 entry of Long and Hardwick is expected to be the only GTD class Porsche on hand for next month’s WeatherTech 240 at Daytona.