K-PAX withdraws No. 98 from PWC GTA class

The No. 98 GTA-class K-PAX Racing McLaren 650S GT3 driven by Mike Hedlund has withdrawn from the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge.

Michael Lewis, co-driver of the No. 98 in the series' SprintX class, will now co-drive the No. 6 K-PAX Racing McLaren 650S GT3 car with Bryan Sellers and will replace fellow SprintX driver Jonny Kane for the division's final two rounds of action.

"It is very unfortunate both for K-PAX and for Mike that we have to withdraw his entry for the remainder of the season," program manager Darren Law said in a statement. "He is great to work with, and it's frustrating we could not achieve the results we both thought possible. I respect Mike and he does a great job in the car. We continue to work together with him and look forward to more programs in the future.

"As for Michael Lewis, we are really happy to announce that he will continue with us and move over to the No. 6 car that Bryan Sellers drives full-time. Michael is fast and is great to work with. We are pleased to keep him on and give him an opportunity to fight for the podium with Bryan in the final rounds of the PWC SprintX Championship."

Hedlund, who was sixth in the GTA standings with just one podium finish this season, was present for practice sessions at Road America but did not start either race.

K-PAX Racing expanded to three full-season McLaren 650S GT3 racecars in 2016 and clinched the Pirelli World Challenge Team, Driver, and Manufacturer Championships. Defending GT series champion Alvaro Parente and Bryan Sellers currently sit third and eighth, respectively in the championship.