Scott Dixon will complete the Cadillac V-LMDh lineup in the first of four endurance races on the 2023 IMSA schedule with Chip Ganassi Racing.
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener on the 2.56-mile, 12-turn road course will mark the competition debut of the sleek and powerful Cadillac V-LMDh in the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class.
Four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Dixon will again join Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande for the twice-around-the-clock event in one of Ganassi’s entries.
“The Rolex 24 At Daytona is the most significant race of the IMSA schedule that happens to also be the first race of the year,” Chip Ganassi Racing Director of Operations Mike O’Gara said. “Scott brings a level of stability since he’s been with us for 20-plus years. He’s the steady guy who provides a good perspective to hop in the race car and give us a fresh, reliable outlook. He’s not an extra driver to get us through the 24-hour race. He adding to the program even though he’s only driving the car a few times a year.”
Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook – previously announced for the Cadillac V-LMDh entry in the seven FIA World Endurance Championship races for 2023 – will co-drive the second Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared car at Daytona.
Dixon, a six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and the 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner, will enter his 23rd season driving for Chip Ganassi Racing – the longest-tenured driver in team history. He co-drove a Cadillac DPi-V.R with Bourdais and van der Zande in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Motul Petit Le Mans endurance races in 2022.
“I find sports car racing very enjoyable, especially once you get into these endurance races you’re driving the car a lot. I just love driving cars and being a part of interesting and high-end experiences like these with Cadillac,” Dixon said. “It’s a great fit and ultimately the pure love of racing.”
Dixon drove the Cadillac V-LMDh for the first time last month at Sebring International Raceway.
“Being part of the endurance test with no real issues, it’s hit the ground well,” he said. “Good power and the drivability is really nice, which is what you’d expect from what Cadillac has done before with a normally aspirated V8. Honestly, the car seems really reliable and ready to go. There are a lot of new systems to get used to and it’s a big car, but fun to drive.”
Keyword: Dixon To Compete In Rolex 24 With Ganassi