Root to Fill in for Cooper in Blackdog Nissan at Sebring

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Max Root will sub for Michael Cooper at Blackdog Racing for this weekend’s Pirelli GT4 America round at Sebring International Raceway.

The former race winner and class champion in SRO America competition will join team owner/driver Tony Gaples at the wheel of the No. 9 Nissan Z NISMO GT4 for the pair of 60-minute races, with Cooper having prior racing commitments in Porsche Carrera Cup North America in Miami.

Cooper is set to return to the team at Circuit of The Americas in two weeks’ time.

Root brings a history of success in GT3 and GT4 racing to Blackdog.

A past Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Am class champion, Root has a pair of podium finishes to his credit at Sebring in IMSA competition. This will be his first Sebring race in SRO.

“I’m very excited to join my long-time friend Tony Gaples and Blackdog Racing at Sebring this weekend in Pirelli GT4 America,” Root said.

“I always enjoy driving at such a historic track, and that’s made even better by the quality of racing in the SRO series. I’m looking forward to turning my first laps with the team on Thursday.”

Gaples added: “I’ve known Max for a few years and am looking forward to driving with him this weekend. He’s young and fast with a ton of experience at a young age.

“I’m sure he’ll be able to help us continue to gain a better understand of this Nissan for when Michael returns to the team at COTA.”

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