The Ford Racing Mustang GT3 is looking to return to the podium for the fourth time in 2026 as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship travels to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin’s Road America. This weekend will be a six-hour race, marking the first time in recent history IMSA has hosted an endurance event at this track. The August 2 race is the fourth of five races that make up the endurance (six hours or longer) portion of the IMSA season.
Heading to the 4.048-mile (6.515 km), 14-turn circuit, the two-car official factory team has earned a GTD Pro class victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a third-place finish on the Streets of Detroit, and a third-place finish at Watkins Glen International. Representing the Mustang GT3 in the series’ pro-am style GTD category are Myers Riley Motorsports and Gradient Racing. Both GTD class Mustangs will field three drivers while the factory program will race with two per entry.
FAST FACTS
- At the most recent endurance race, the Six Hours of The Glen, the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, with drivers Ben Barker and Denis Olsen, scored its first podium of the season, finishing third.
- In 2025, the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, with drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx, finished second in the GTD Pro class in the sprint format race at Road America.
- Ford Racing factory driver Joey Hand returns to competition in the No. 66 Gradient Mustang GT3 after being sidelined with a broken pelvis at the most recent endurance round.
DRIVER QUOTES
DENNIS OLSEN, No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “Road America is a fantastic circuit and one I’m excited to race at. The No. 64 had a strong result there last year, so hopefully the Mustang GT3 will work well again this weekend. It is a track where there is no room for mistakes, so we need to execute cleanly, stay in the fight and make the most of every opportunity.”
BEN BARKER, No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I can’t wait to get on track and see how the Mustang GT3 performs. Mosport [Canadian Tire Motorsport Park] gave us plenty of reasons to feel positive. The final result wasn’t quite what we wanted, but we came close to making it all work, so hopefully we can build on that, show strong pace and fight for the podium.”
FRÉDÉRIC VERVISCH, No. 65 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “I’m really looking forward to Road America. With it being a six-hour race, there will be plenty of opportunities and anything can happen. We executed well at Mosport [Canadian Tire Motorsport Park], so hopefully we can carry that momentum into the weekend, be competitive with the Mustang GT3 and fight for a big result.”
CHRISTOPHER MIES, No. 65 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – “We had a strong run at Road America last year and were sitting second until the final yellow dropped us to the back. We fought our way back to fifth though, which showed the pace we had. With this year’s race being six hours, there will be a lot to play for. It’s time for us to bounce back, put together a strong weekend and keep ourselves firmly in the championship fight.”
JENSEN ALTZMAN, No. 16 Myers Riley Mustang GT3 - “I’m excited to be back at Road America for the next endurance event in our No. 16 Mustang GT3. This will be the first track I’ve driven at this year that I also raced at last season, so I’m looking forward to gathering data and seeing a real correlation between the non-Evo and Evo-spec cars. I earned my first win here last year in the Mustang GT4, so I’m hoping to double up on that with Sheena, Felipe and the entire Myers Riley team.”
SHEENA MONK, No. 16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 - “Road America is one of the best racetracks in the U.S., and since joining the GTD field, I’ve hoped it would become part of the endurance calendar. It’s a place where I’ve had success in the past, and I believe the nature of the circuit will suit the Mustang well. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish over six hours.”
FELIPE FRAGA, No. 16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 - “Road America is one of the best tracks on the IMSA calendar and always a place I enjoy racing. It’s a demanding layout where consistency and execution make all the difference, especially in a six-hour race. We’ve been working hard with Riley Motorsports and Ford, and I’m looking forward to fighting for a strong result this weekend.”
JOEY HAND, No. 66 Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 - “I’m thrilled to be back in the race car with Gradient Racing, driving the Ford Mustang GT3 that I know and love so much. I can’t think of a better place to make my return than Road America. It’s my favorite racetrack in the world, one of the greatest places to race, with incredible fans, great food and everything that makes Road America so special. I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and making something happen. I’d also like to thank Dr. Terry Trammell for all his help and advice in getting me back in the car as soon as possible.”
JAKE WALKER, No. 66 Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 - “Road America is another great opportunity for us to build on everything we’ve learned throughout the season. Everyone at Gradient Racing and Ford has continued to work incredibly hard, and we’ve proven that this team never stops fighting, regardless of the challenges we face. It’s great to have Joey back in the car, and I’m looking forward to racing alongside him and Till again this weekend.”
TILL BECHTOLSHEIMER, No. 66 Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 - "I'm really looking forward to being back with the team at Road America for this endurance round. Every race this season has helped us build momentum and continue improving as a group. It's great to have Joey back, and I'm excited to be sharing the car with him and Jake again. Hopefully we can put together a strong weekend."
