Paul Miller Racing out, Hanley in for IMSA GTD and Pilot Challenge

Hanley Motorsports Incorporated has announced today that it will compete in multiple IMSA series next season with BMW M Motorsport. The new team arrives to IMSA as the result of the a partnership between team owner Robert Hanley and DXDT Racing, and the acquisition of the assets of multi-time IMSA champion team Paul Miller Racing.

The team will race under the HMI banner, entering both the GTD Pro and GTD classes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, and the GS class of Michelin Pilot Challenge with two M4 GT4 EVOs. 

Running a total of four cars across two series, HMI will operate out of the former Paul Miller Racing headquarters in Buford, Ga., northeast of the city of Atlanta, while a new shop is under construction in the town of Flowery Branch, just a few minutes from Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Team owner Hanley started his racing career on dirt ovals and then, after an extended hiatus, returned in Porsche one-make racing before establishing Hanley Motorsports in 2023. In 2026, Hanley forged a partnership with DXDT Racing and its founder David Askew, while also partnering with Bryan Herta Autosport as it expanded to LMP2 competition with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.

“This is a dream come true for me,“ said Hanley. “When I started Hanley Motorsports, the intent was always to compete at the top level in all of our endeavors. With the expertise brought by Dave, Mitchell and Bryan, we believe we are aggressively building an organization that is capable of delivering sustained success, at the highest level of sports car racing in North America, the IMSA WeatherTech Championship.

“There is no question our goals and aspirations will not be easily achieved, as we are fully aware of the tremendous competitors, for whom we have a great deal of respect, that will challenge us at every opportunity. We are committed and energized by what is ahead of us.”

Askew brought DXDT Racing up from NASA-sanctioned club races to the highest levels of sports car racing over the past decade. After racing GT3 cars in Pirelli World Challenge and GT World Challenge America since 2017, DXDT Racing made its IMSA debut in 2025, taking six top-10 finishes in its first GTD campaign. In 2026, DXDT scored its first GTD class pole position at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and its first podium at Motul Petit Le Mans in Road Atlanta.

“This is such a great opportunity for all of us at DXDT Racing to grow and become something bigger than our initial foray into the IMSA paddock,“ said Askew. “We’ve really been working on setting a strong foundation in our first two years in the series and now that we have that, it’s time to take the next step and I really think this partnership with Robert will help facilitate that. I’m excited to see what’s to come for HMI and really thrilled to be along for the journey as part of this team.”

Before retiring from driving to become competition director of DXDT Racing, Sellers enjoyed decorated driving career in IMSA which included two GTD championships at Paul Miller Racing (2018 and 2023), and class victories in the series' four most prestigious endurance races: Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans.

“This kind of opportunity is exactly what I envisioned when moving over to the management side at the end of 2024,“ said Sellers. “It's really exciting to see these two impressive team owners come together to form HMI and set their sights on such an ambitious racing program in 2027. 

“Both Robert and Dave excel at everything they do both in competition and in their business lives and it's been such a great experience working with them to put this deal together. Plus, reuniting with Mitchell after all of our success together is a cherry on top. I can't wait until we get our BMWs on the track and go wheel to wheel with the best of the best in IMSA.“

Simmons, a former Formula 1 software engineer, has been the driving force behind Paul Miller Racing’s on-track success since joining the team in 2009, including last year’s GTD Pro championship title and victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“Robert Hanley is assembling a super team for this push into IMSA for 2027 and beyond. He's brought on some of the best of the best across Paul Miller Racing and DXDT for this endeavor and I'm really excited to oversee such an expansive and ambitious program,“ Simmons said. “IMSA is the top level of sports car racing and I know all of us want to see Hanley Motorsports out in front of such a competitive field. I'm looking forward to the challenge.“

Adam McGregor, BMW North America Motorsport & Customer Racing Manager, expressed his pleasure as HMI maintains the marque's GTD Pro presence while also expanding its offering in GTD and in Pilot Challenge GS.

“BMW Motorsport is happy to welcome Hanley Motorsports to our racing family. As I have gotten to know Robert and the whole Hanley organization it has become clear that they share the same drive for excellence on the race track that BMW Motorsport does,“ said McGregor. “Therefore, they are perfect to continue to build our legacy in GTD Pro class with the M4 GT3 EVO. It is also exciting to see HMI planning to expand BMW’s presence in GTD and GT4 classes of IMSA. The Rolex 24 is right around the corner and I cannot wait to see BMW M4s in HMI’s livery on the pavement in Daytona!“

Further details of HMI’s 2027 IMSA program, including its driver line-ups, will be announced within the coming weeks.