Stoffel Vandoorne will make his IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship debut next month, replacing Helio Castroneves at Meyer Shank Racing for the Twelve Hours of Sebring.
The Belgian will partner freshly crowned Rolex 24 at Daytona winners Oliver Jarvis and Tom Blomqvist aboard the #60 Acura ARX-05 for the Florida classic.
Castroneves, who took MSR to its landmark Daytona win last month, is unable to contest the event as he is scheduled to compete in the IndyCar round at the Texas Motor Speedway together with team-mate Simon Pagenaud.
Other drivers to be impacted by the clash between the two events include Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, who will be replaced by Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Vandoorne, meanwhile, will be reunited with former co-driver Blomqvist aboard the Acura DPi. The two drivers were team-mates at JOTA during last year’s FIA World Endurance Championship campaign, scoring five podiums together.
“I’m really excited to be joining Meyer Shank for the Sebring 12 Hour,” said Vandoorne. “For me it will be the first time racing in Sebring, and the first time racing in IMSA competition which I am excited for because the racing in America is very close.
“I feel lucky to also be joining the team that just won the Daytona 24 Hours, so it’s going to be a really great experience. I know my teammate Tom already from last year racing in WEC and Olly I know him as well from endurance racing, but it will be the first time teaming up with them together.”
“I’m really looking forward to the weekend and hopefully we can bring home a good result for the team.”
According to team boss Michael Shank the original plan for the team was to have Castroneves present at the second race of the IMSA season and for the Brazilian to pull double duty. It ultimately opted to sign Vandoorne instead.
“Stoffel impressed us at a test last week and will be a great addition to the team for Sebring,” said Shank. “It was our initial intention to have Helio race in both the IMSA and IndyCar events that weekend, but logistically it became a bit difficult.
“Tom has said great things about Stoffel from their time racing in WEC together last year, so I think we have another strong lineup heading into the race weekend.”
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