Panoz to Make Surprise Return for Road America

Photo: Gavin Baker/SRO

Panoz Racing will make a surprise return to Pirelli GT4 America competition this weekend at Road America, with a pair of Panoz Avezzano GT4s entered in SprintX competition.

Reigning GT4 Sprint champion Ian James will team up with Matt Keegan in the No. 50 Panoz, with Preston Calvert being joined by James’ IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship co-driver Roman De Angelis in the No. 51 car.

The cars were last seen in the 2019 season-ending event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with the team having closed its doors during the off-season.

The Panoz entries, part of a 24-car entry in SprintX, will contest the first two races of the weekend, as Sunday’s third race will serve as the make-up round for the canceled Race 2 at Lime Rock Park.

In addition to Panoz, both Compass Racing and BGB Motorsports will make their series return as well, with Ray Mason and Ross Thompson entered in Compas’ No. 77 McLaren 570S GT4.

Tom Collingwood and John Tecce will drive BGB’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, meanwhile.

While having taken part in the Sonoma weekend, both Motorsport USA McLarens as well as the Dexter Racing Ginetta G55 GT4 are not entered for Road America.

Expanded 15-Car Entry Set for GT4 Sprint

The GT4 Sprint grid has seen a boost to 15 cars for Road America, with a number of notable drivers and teams returning.

Tony Gaples will be back at the wheel of the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren after missing the last two events due to eye surgery.

Nolasport, meanwhile, has added a Porsche for Jason Hall while both Christopher Gumprecht and Jeff Courtney return in their Mercedes-AMG GT4s after missing the most recent round at Sonoma.

As is the case with GT4 SprintX, there will again be three GT4 Sprint races over the weekend, to make up the canceled first round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

Track action for GT4 America gets underway on Wednesday with test sessions, with the first races scheduled for Friday afternoon.

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