As the Pirelli World Challenge prepares to close out the championship this weekend at Sonoma Raceway, CRP Racing will run an additional car in the season finale event with Alex Lloyd joining the team, racing the No. 22 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport in the GTS class.
Lloyd first competed with CRP Racing in 2014, racing the 2006 Corvette Z06 in the GT class for three events.
“We’re thrilled to have Alex back behind the wheel,” said CRP Racing owner Nick Short. “He has tremendous experience, and should have a strong weekend.”
The 32-year-old British race car driver began his career in England racing go-karts, winning the British Open Championship at age 14. After competing against the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Mike Conway in the Formula Renault UK championship, Lloyd set his sights on climbing up the open wheel ladder in America.
He joined the Indy Pro Series in 2006, earning AFS Racing their first ever wins. In 2007, he followed up with another strong season, clinching eight race wins and the overall championship.
He advanced to IndyCar the following season, competing in four Indianapolis 500s, and winning the 2010 Rookie of the Year.
“It’s been a long time since I last raced IndyCar,” said Lloyd. “In fact, I now consider myself mostly retired. So this is a fun weekend, one where there’s no pressure.”
This will be a home race weekend for Lloyd, who resides about 70 miles southeast of Sonoma, in Livermore, California. Lloyd most recently ran with CRP Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year at the SVRA Vintage racing event.
“I’m thrilled to be back driving for CRP Racing,” said Lloyd. “We’ve raced together a fair bit the last few years; from vintage races to select Pirelli World Challenge events.
“Firstly, I need to thank my friend Dave Roberts for loaning me his Porsche Cayman for the weekend. I told him, most importantly, I wouldn’t bend it, but at the same time it’d be great to come home with a trophy or two.
“I’m excited for my four kids to see daddy in action, and with a bit of luck, I hope to prove that the old boy can still show the youngsters a few new tricks.”
The Grand Prix of Sonoma will be a double header event for both the GT and GTS classes, with races on both Saturday and Sunday.