Keating, Smithson, Merrill Complete DXDT Lineups for Indy

Photo: Jamey Price/DXDT

Ben Keating, Scott Smithson and Thomas Merrill will complete the lineups in DXDT Racing’s three Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos taking part in next weekend’s Indianapolis 8 Hour.

The North Carolina-based team confirmed its full driving squads for the season-ending Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS round that will also double as the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli.

Keating will return to the wheel of the No. 04 CrowdStrike-sponsored Mercedes along with George Kurtz and Colin Braun, who will be looking to defend their Pro-Am class win at The Brickyard from a year ago.

Kurtz and Braun will be making their first GTWC America start since Virginia International Raceway in July after a crash in practice at Road America that ruled Kurtz out for that weekend and the subsequent two events.

“This race was so much fun last year, and I hoping we can repeat the full experience,” said Keating.

“Last year was a very tight race until we got towards the end and some of the strategy started to play out.

“We know that all of us get along well and are quick in the car. This is the recipe for a good endurance event. I have looked forward to the Indianapolis 8 Hour ever since we kissed the bricks last year!”

Smithson, who will share the No. 63 Mercedes with full-season drivers Ryan Dalziel and David Askew, returns to the team after contesting the TC America season with DXDT in 2020.

“I’ve been running TCR in the Michelin Pilot Challenge this season in preparation to move to the GT3 class,” he explained. “Indy will be my GT3 Debut.

“I hope to get up to speed quick so I can help teammates David Askew and Ryan Dalziel. I’m honored to run with both of them and looking forward to this learning experience! I’ve missed the team and it’s great to be back.”

Pro-Am class winners Erin Vogel and Michael Cooper, meanwhile, will be joined by Merrill in the No. 19 Mercedes for the enduro.

“I’ve been admiring Erin’s racing career as it has progressed for a while now and was honored to be asked to join the team,” he said. “With the group of people we have involved, I see no reason why we can’t be fighting for the win.”

All three additions to the team will not be permitted to drive in the opening three hours of the race, which pays double GTWC America points. 

Per the regulations, the full-season driver pairings must complete the first segment themselves, with no driver restrictions for the remaining five hours of the race.

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