Gradient Racing announces 2026 GTD drivers

Gradient Racing has announced an updated lineup for its second season as a Ford Racing customer team in IMSA’s GTD class, one of several GTD teams to announce their 2026 plans this week.

The No. 66 Ford Mustang GT3 Evo features a combination of new and returning talent. After two Michelin Endurance Cup campaigns with Turner Motorsport, Jake Walker will get his first full-time opportunity in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

He’ll begin his 2026 campaign alongside Ford Racing factory driver Joey Hand, Lola Cars owner Till Bechtolsheimer, and 2020 Daytona GTD class winner Corey Lewis.

Similar to last year, Hand and Bechtolsheimer will run alongside Walker for the five Michelin Endurance Cup races, while Lewis, who returns to IMSA for the first time since driving Proton Competition’s Mustang GT3 in 2024, will complete the line-up for the sprint races at Long Beach, Laguna Seca, CTMP, VIR, and Indianapolis.

Gradient Racing’s best finish in its first year with Ford was a fifth place at VIR, and the No. 66 car finished 13th in the GTD Teams’ Championship with a rotating cast of drivers.

“Jake has been a standout young talent in GTD and VP Challenge over the last few years, and we’re thrilled to welcome him for a full WeatherTech season as we bring the Mustang’s new Evo package online,” said Gradient Racing owner Andris Laivins. “His fresh perspective will be invaluable as we continue developing the kit. Corey and I have also been trying for years to find a way to race together, so it’s exciting to finally see the stars align for 2026. His experience with the Ford platform will be a tremendous asset, and hopefully we can help him add a few more major wins to his résumé.”

“We also have a pair of fast, steady hands in Till and Joey,” Laivins continued. “Both of them are rock solid in the car, and we had a fantastic time working together in the paddock this past year. With their experience, our incredible crew at the shop, and the exceptional engineering support we receive from Ford Racing and Multimatic, I’m confident we have something truly special heading into 2026.”

“I’m excited to be joining Gradient Racing and competing in the full IMSA WeatherTech Championship season,” said Walker, who turns 20 in February. “Teaming up with Corey Lewis for the sprint rounds, and with Joey Hand and Till Bechtolsheimer for the endurance races, makes this an incredible opportunity. I’m looking forward to kicking off the season at Daytona with all four of us together. I’m incredibly grateful to Andris Laivins for the opportunity and his confidence in me. Racing full-time in IMSA has been a major goal of mine, and I’m proud to take this next step while joining the Ford family, an iconic American brand.”