Stallone Replaces Hollingshead at PT Autosport

Photo: PT Autosport

PT Autosport with Copeland Motorsports has undergone a driver change for the remainder of the Toyota GR Cup North America season, which will see Max Stallone take over driving duties of the No. 88 Toyota GR86 Cup car, beginning with this weekend’s rounds at Virginia International Raceway.

The 19-year-old Austin native replaces Zach Hollingshead, who as the winner of PT Autosport’s 2024 Aspiring Driver Shootout, was awarded with the intended full-season drive in the single-make series.

Stallone, who finished third in last year’s shootout, completed two tests with the car at New Jersey Motorsports Park earlier this year.

“This is such a great opportunity, I’m super thankful to everyone at PT Autosport,” said Stallone. “You work so hard at this, with all the sim time and the workouts, all the time in the car, and you don’t know if it’s ever going to go anywhere.

“Now I have a shot, in front of all the right people. There’s definitely pressure, which is something I’m going to have to learn to navigate, but I feel like I have the talent – and now I have a chance to show it, so I just have to put it all together. I’m super excited.”

In addition to sim racing, Stallone has previous experience in Spec Miata competition.

“I’ve learned good car control from Spec Miata, like how to handle it when you carry a little too much speed into a corner and you have to catch the slide a little bit,” he said.

“In the test, I felt a similar situation in the GR86. The GR86 has a lot more going on, like ABS and traction control, so you have to learn how to use those.”

PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers added: “I am really excited to get back to racing and see what Max will do in the GR Cup car at the upcoming VIR SRO race weekend.

“He showed some real potential during the Shootout this past November, and has some great experience at VIR in a rear-wheel drive car already from his Spec Miata experience.

“He has a very humble and tempered approach: of course, the goals are set to do well and learn the car, but no real expectations or pressure on unrealistic finishing or qualifying positions – which is great maturity to see from a young man his age.

“We are hopeful that Max proves us wrong for only giving him P3 in last year’s shootout.”

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