DragonSpeed has announced Kyffin Simpson, Eric Lux and James Allen for their driver crew at the 24 Hours of Daytona on 27-28 January 2024, as one more driver is expected to join the trio.
As former LMP2 class winners at the Daytona 24 – on three occasions – DragonSpeed has unveiled three drivers and have stated intentions to compete at all five rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Endurance Cup.
Simpson is expected to debut in the IndyCar Series next year with Chip Ganassi Racing, although he is no stranger to sportscar racing.
The 19-year-old will compete in his third Daytona 24, since debuting into the sportscar discipline in 2022 with Gradient Racing’s Acura NSX GTD effort in the Endurance Cup, winning the Petit Le Mans season finale with teammates Mario Farnbacher and Till Bechtolsheimer.
His 2023 campaign saw him step up to LMP2 with an Endurance Cup driver role at Tower Motorsports, during which he won the 12 Hours of Sebring with Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin and team owner John Farano.
Simpson said: “I’m excited to join DragonSpeed for the Rolex 24.
“The team has such a great pedigree, and I’m sure we’ll hit the ground running.
“Sportscar racing has been a crucial component of my development and I’m glad to continue that with a winning team.
“It’s nice to be back with James for another race (having won the 2023 European Le Mans Series together) and of course Eric, Elton [Julian], and the rest of team understand what it takes to win at Daytona.”
Lux added: “2024 will be my 14th Rolex 24, and my third Daytona outing with DragonSpeed.
“Each time, Elton has delivered a package capable of fighting for the win, and our racing partnership and friendship is stronger than ever.
“With Kyffin and James sharing the car, I’m confident we can challenge for the top step of the podium again.
“I can’t wait to get down to business with them and the team at the Roar and the race.”
Allen said: “I’m delighted to continue with Kyffin as my teammate going into the Rolex 24 after our triumph in the ELMS this year, and it’s great to be back with DragonSpeed after our spell together in 2018-2019.
“With Elton’s grasp of Daytona’s demands and Eric on board as well, all the pieces are in place to challenge for another win at the Rolex.”
Dragonspeed were not on the original list of IMSA 2024 entries, nor for the Daytona 24, thus enter as one of 13 LMP2s for the 62nd running.
The Endurance Cup sets five grueling and lengthy races within the 2024 calendar, as the Sebring 12 Hours is followed by the Six Hours of the Glen, and the Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – also a six-hour event.
Finally, the 10-hour-long Petit Le Mans in October will conclude the schedule at Road Atlanta.
Team principal Elton Julian commented: “With Kyffin’s addition, I believe our driver lineup will match anyone’s in LMP2 at the Rolex in 2024.
“We’re really looking forward to taking full advantage of his phenomenal growth as a driver over the last couple of years.
“Having Eric and James back in the fold just strengthens our chances of being in contention going into the final stages of this great event.
“I think we’re positioned for a strong homecoming to – and future in – IMSA, who really put out the welcome mat to make this program possible.”
A fourth and final driver is expected to be announced in early January 2024 prior to the ‘Roar Before the 24’ testing and qualifying, followed by the race week itself.
