PWC: Johnny O’Connell's son set to make series debut at UMC

Canaan O'Connell, son of GT racing star Johnny O'Connell, is set to make his pro racing and Pirelli World Challenge debut with TechSport Racing in Rounds 9 and 10 of the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championships at Utah Motorsports Campus. The 22-year-old O'Connell will drive the team's No. 24 Chevy Sonic alongside teammate and class points leader PJ Groenke in the TechSport's No. 25 Sonic.

"We are very excited to get a chance to work with Canaan and honored that his very first professional event will be with us," said team owner Kevin Anderson. "It's always a treat to when you get to be a part of the start of what will likely be a long career in motorsports for someone, especially with the family pedigree he has. He's a young, fresh, talented young man, he gets regular seat time as an instructor for Bondurant, and we know he can fight for a podium and that's fully what we expect."

The young O'Connell said about the opportunity: "Making my pro racing debut is something I've thought about for as long as I can remember. To finally achieve that dream is an amazing feeling, as it means I'm on course. It's a feeling I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Obviously I'm very grateful to TechSport Racing and the team owners Deborah Popolizio and Kevin Anderson for putting the faith in me.

"It's even more special because I get to do it in a GM product. Not only because of my father's success within the company, but because of the incredible people that are a GM. Jim Campbell, Mark Kent and of course Gary and Robin Pratt have all been huge influences on my life."

Along with the teams pair of TCB entries, for only the second time this season since the opening weekend COTA, TechSport will have all three of its TCA class Mazda MX-5 machines in action at Utah. The team's lead driver Eric Powell will be joined by Kevin Anderson and Trans-Am regular Steve Streimer.

"Steve is an experienced driver currently racing a Dodge Viper in the Trans Am series. I am really excited to finally have Steve driving one of my cars – it has been in discussion for a long time now. I am fully confident in Steve's ability to be competitive." said  Anderson.