22-year-old Jaden Conwright has been named as the first recipient of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship.
The Newark native has been awarded an opportunity to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship this year.
“Jaden Conwright is an extremely worthy recipient of the first IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “He has been persistent in climbing the motorsports ladder, showing his talent at all levels along the way.
“There were many qualified candidates who could have won this scholarship, but when it came to his experience, his knowledge and his ability to manage the financial side of the business, Jaden stood out.”
“We’re confident that with the assistance of this scholarship, Jaden can take his career to the next level in the WeatherTech Championship.”
Conwright was one of ten finalists selected from scholarship applicants. Criteria were based on drivers having a strong desire to compete in IMSA, outstanding previous race results and/or proven on-track potential in junior racing categories and the ability to build a compelling business plan for securing the remaining funding needed to compete for a full season in 2022.
“It’s definitely a big deal,” Conwright said. “I’m super grateful and happy to be the first recipient. I’m just looking forward to working with everyone and trying to create something that will be long term and something that will help introduce more people into IMSA.”
“In 15 years, it could be that the recipients of the scholarship can become IMSA ambassadors as a whole and provide insight into the series. They could be somebody to look up to and give young drivers something to aim for in IMSA.”
Conwright made his IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship debut in 2021, having previously competed in the Italian Formula 4 series, FIA F3 Formula Regional Asian Championship and Porsche Mobil Supercup.
He immediately impressed upon his IMSA debut, when he qualified third in GTD aboard NTE Sport’s Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen and went on to finish fourth in class alongside Don Yount and Markus Palttala.
It is not yet clear where Conwright will be racing in 2022, but a statement from IMSA said that ‘an announcement regarding Conwright’s 2022 WeatherTech Championship team will be made in the coming days.’
In addition to winning the Scholarship, it was announced that Conwright has been added to Lamborghini’s GT3 Junior Driver roster for 2022, where he will join another Scholarship finalist in Mateo Llarena.
“I would like to congratulate Jaden for this important step in his career,” Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini Head of Motorsport, said. “He showed strong performances in the last few years and collected valuable racing experience both in Europe and in America.”
“This award is for sure a well-deserved achievement. Lamborghini Squadra Corse cares a lot about the growth of young drivers as our commitment in Youngster Programmes demonstrates. I wish Jaden a bright 2022 IMSA season at the wheel of our Huracán GT3 EVO.”
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