Cooper, Vogel Join DXDT in Expanded Three-Car GT3 Effort

Photo: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image

Michael Cooper and Erin Vogel have joined DXDT Racing for the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season as part of an expanded three-car effort for the newly relocated North Carolina-based team.

The former Flying Lizard Motorsports co-drivers will team up in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo alongside the returning pairings of Colin Braun/George Kurtz and Ryan Dalziel/David Askew.

All three cars will be carrying sponsorship from CrowdStrike, as part of the cybersecurity firm’s increased commitment to the team.

Cooper, a multi-time SRO America champion, claimed the Pirelli GT4 America Sprint championship last year.

“David Askew and [team manager] Erin Gahagan have done such a great job over the last few years to form a very well-respected team in the paddock,” he said.

“I’m hoping Erin Vogel and I can add to that and help drive the whole group forward.

“I believe we’ll be able to fight for class podiums and wins at every event we show up at. We’re testing our No. 19 Mercedes very soon and I’m looking forward to familiarizing myself with the car.”

Vogel added: “It’s been my goal for a few years now to race in GT3, and I think this year we’ve all realized that life is too short to back down from our goals,” she said.

“When the opportunity to work with DXDT Racing came up, I quickly realized that it had the potential to be a great partnership with like-minded people.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to continue co-driving with Michael Cooper for 2021, and we’ll have a few other familiar faces on the engineering, technology, and transportation crew.

“It’s also exciting to get involved with a team that includes a number of other women, both on the management and media side as well as on the driving side.”

In addition to its three-car GTWC America program, DXDT will field an additional Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for CJ Moses in the new-for-2021 GT America series, with Kevin Boehm returning for another season in TC America.

It has come amid a move to a new 20,000 square-foot facility in Statesville, N.C. after previously being based in Utah.

“We are eager to pick up where we left off and looking forward to more wins and hopefully a championship-winning effort,” said team owner/driver Askew.

“Our mission is to support client racing, and CrowdStrike being a primary focus of our program. DXDT continues to invest in people and equipment with the goal of helping CrowdStrike Racing to win races and championships.”

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