Persing Joins Paley Motorsport for Sebring Season Opener

Photo: Ryan Persing IG

Ryan Persing will make his IMSA debut in next month’s Mustang Challenge North America season opener at Sebring International Raceway, having signed with Paley Motorsport with AAG Racing.

The 18-year-old up-and-coming driver will pilot the team’s No. 29 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R for the start of the third season of Ford Racing’s single-make series.

Persing, the younger brother of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America competitor Nick Persing, moves into GT-style racing after competing in Radical Cup North America competition last year.

“I’m super excited for this opportunity to join Paley Motorsport in Sebring for the Mustang Challenge,” he said.

“Being a part of the IMSA paddock has long been a goal of mine, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Mustang Challenge car and hopefully compete for race wins and podiums.”

Team owner Sam Paley added: “To say that I am excited to have Ryan join our Mustang Challenge program at Sebring International Raceway is an understatement.

“I have known the Persing family for a long time, and I have been following Ryan’s career for years.

“Ryan is an incredibly talented young driver, and we’re very enthusiastic about aiding his transition into the IMSA and sports car paddock.

“[He’s] has had great success in go-karting and the Radical Cup, and I’m positive he’ll have a quick and successful transition into the Dark Horse R.”

It was announced earlier this week that Paley Motorsports will join forces with AAG Racing this year, as part of a “strategic alignment” for its programs in both Mustang Challenge and Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup.

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