Tristan Nunez has been signed to Whelen Engineering’s DPi line-up for the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
Nunez will partner Pipo Derani aboard the Action Express-run #31 Cadillac DPi-VR for the full campaign, with Mike Conway returning to the team for the endurance rounds of championship.
The 25-year-old has previously been a part of the factory Mazda prototype effort from 2014 to 2020. In 2021, the Florida native raced for WIN Autosport in the LMP2 category, taking a class win in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.
“Over my entire career, Cadillac has always been the car to beat,” Nunez said. “I’ve always admired Action Express Racing’s ability to produce well-earned victories and beautifully run races. This is a huge step in my career and I’m excited for the challenge.
“I couldn’t be happier to be paired with Pipo. Year after year, he’s proven to be one of the best. Off track, I feel we will have great camaraderie, which I feel is a key component to having success in this sport. Having Mike as a third (driver) solidifies the (No.) 31 Whelen Cadillac as a force to be reckoned with.”
Nunez replaces Felipe Nasr, who partnered with Derani for three consecutive seasons aboard the #31 Cadillac. Nasr’s future plans remain unconfirmed although he is rumoured to join the Porsche LMDh effort.
Derani, meanwhile, re-signs with the squad for a fourth straight year. He joined the team in 2019 and has since taken six race wins for the team, including the Twelve Hours of Sebring.
“I am happy that I will be back behind the wheel of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R next year for what will be my fourth season with the team,” he said.
“IMSA has proven to be one of the best and most competitive racing series in the world with some of the most amazing endurance races a driver can be a part of. Coming back to fight for more wins and championships with AXR felt like a logical and easy decision to make.”
“I am also very happy to welcome Tristan to the Whelen Engineering/AXR team. Tristan has had a fantastic stint with Mazda and I am sure, together, we will form a very strong partnership. Expect to win!”
Gary Nelson, Action Express Racing’s team manager, says the team opted to sign Nunez based on his previous experience in the DPi category.
“Tristan will be new to our team, but with the experience we have on the pit box together with Pipo and Mike helping him with the nuances of the Cadillac DPi-V.R, he will fit right into the team,” Nelson said.
“He has a lot of miles in the DPi category, so the competition level will be familiar to him as well. We are looking forward to continuing to run up front and compete for the IMSA WeatherTech DPi championship in 2022.”
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