By Briar Starr, Staff Writer
As the dawn of the new season approaches for the 2023 IMSA season with a newly branded GTP class, replacing the Daytona Prototype Series (DPi), two of the biggest teams in motorsports history Wayne Taylor Racing and Andretti Autosport announced a historic partnership Wednesday morning.
Beginning at the start of the 2023 season, Wayne Taylor Racing will now be called Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport, as the current CEO and Chairman of the team, Michael Andretti, purchased an ownership stake within the company. Both Andretti and Taylor have had many successes in auto racing, but talks about working together started a year ago.
“This is an exciting time for us,” Andretti said. “We’re proud to be returning to the IMSA paddock in this way and the opportunity to be part of the launch of the GTP program alongside Wayne Taylor Racing and our friends at Honda Performance Development.
“Re-entering IMSA full-time, and at this level, has been a goal of mine. I wanted it to be the right opportunity and at the right time – and we’ve found that. I’m looking forward to working closer with the team at WTR and meeting all the team’s strong supporters. I want to personally thank Wayne (Taylor) and Travis (Houge) for already being such great partners as we plan for a successful future.”
Even with Andretti partnering with Taylor at the start of the 2023 season, things will remain unchanged in terms of operation for Taylor.
“It’s an honor to be partnering with a name like Andretti as we enter a new era of racing,” Taylor said. “I was approached by Michael a year ago and, as we all know, timing is everything, especially as our GTP and GTD programs continue to grow with Acura | HPD. Having worked with Michael on this for nearly a year, I’m very excited to see it come together.
“While our 2023 program won’t look much different, there is a lot that Andretti Autosport can offer to us as we continue to build and expand. I’m looking forward to working closer with Michael (Andretti), J-F (Thormann), Rob (Edwards), and the entire Andretti team.”
Furthermore, there are long-term goals, as there are hopes that Wayne Taylor Racing will move into the new Andretti Global headquarters which is expected to be open in 2025.
As the new season approaches, both Taylor and Andretti will have two cars on the grid for the GTP class. Per usual, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 will race alongside the debuting No. 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX Evo22 at the Roar Before The 24.
Additionally, Andretti Autosport will also continue to race their LMP3 car with Jarret Andretti. Finally, the new team will race in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series.
The 2023 IMSA season gets underway with the annual Roar Before The 24, which is slated for Saturday and Sunday, January 21-22 live on Peacock.