Chaves gets AXR call-up for Watkins Glen

Verizon IndyCar Series driver Gabby Chaves will make his return to IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to stand in for the injured Joao Barbosa at Action Express Racing.

Following this weekend’s IndyCar race at Road America where he’ll drive the No. 88 Harding Racing Chevy, the young Colombian-American will stay within the General Motors family in the No. 5 Cadillac DPi-V.R as teammate to Filipe Albuquerque and Christian Fittipaldi for the Sahlens Six Hours of The Glen on July 1.

“The first thing is of course that you never want to have an opportunity because someone got hurt, so this is an unfortunate circumstance with Joao having his injury,” Chaves said of the two-time Prototype champ who suffered wrist injuries in a cycling accident.

“But I appreciate the opportunity to join the championship-leading team. Mustang Sampling Racing has had a strong start this year and hopefully I can help the team continue to have those kinds of results.”

While searching for another open-wheel ride, Chaves turned in a number of starring performance behind the wheel of the DeltaWing DWC13 prototype, and with his full-time return to IndyCar, the chance to get back to sports cars – at one of his favorite tracks – was an easy offer to accept.

“I love Watkins Glen, it is a great track and I am looking forward to racing the Cadillac Prototype there,” he said. “I’m excited to be going back to endurance racing. With different classes all racing at the same time, there is a lot for the driver to deal with as you work through traffic.  So I am looking forward to racing at the Glen again, and I really appreciate this opportunity with Mustang Sampling Racing.”

Although Barbosa’s chances at winning a third IMSA title have taken a blow, the team currently holds the joint lead in the Drivers’ and Teams’ standings with the sister No. 31 AXR Cadillac program.