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Pilgrim, Cooper Complete Blackdog Lineup for SprintX

Blackdog Speed Shop confirms Andy Pilgrim, Michael Cooper as SprintX drivers…

Photos: Blackdog Speed Shop

Blackdog Speed Shop has confirmed championship-winning drivers Andy Pilgrim and Michael Cooper will join full-season Sprint pilots Lawson Aschenbach and Tony Gaples for the five Pirelli World Challenge GTS SprintX rounds this season.

Aschenbach and Pilgrim will team together in the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, while Cooper returns to the team with Gaples in the No. 11 entry.

The SprintX format is new to the GTS category for 2018 and features two, one-hour races per event weekend with a mandatory driver change for entries with two drivers.

Pilgrim and Aschenbach, meanwhile, teamed together as part of Cadillac’s GT class program in 2007.

“It’s a real pleasure to be part of the Blackdog Speed Shop program in SprintX this year,” said Pilgrim. “I was considering a couple of racing options for this year when I received the call about GTSX.

“The opportunity to be part of the Blackdog team and drive the Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R was too good to pass up! It’s going to be a pleasure partnering up again with Lawson; it’s been 11 years since we drove together for Team Cadillac.

“I certainly couldn’t have a better or more experienced teammate in the GTS category.

“There will be a lot of great competition and new SprintX rules for all of us, but I know this team has the history and knowledge to put us right in the mix.”

Cooper returns to the defending GTS class championship-winning squad having won the 2015 title with the team.

“It’s a nice homecoming to be back with Tony and everyone at Blackdog Speed Shop,” Cooper said. “This team played a big part in my development as a driver, and I was proud to win a championship for them.

“The Chevy Camaro GT4.R is a beast. It looks great and sounds great… like all Camaros do. I’m anxious to get to race ours starting at COTA with my friend Tony.

“We’ll have a good time, race hard and hopefully come away with some victories this year.

“I’ve been through a season of SprintX already from last year, so hopefully that experience can help us toward another championship.”

The SprintX season kicks off at Circuit of The Americas in March.

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