Cusick Motorsports
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (September 2024) |
 | |
| Owner(s) | Carolyn Cusick Don Cusick |
|---|---|
| Principal(s) | {{{principals}}} |
| Base | Thermal, California |
| Series | IndyCar Series |
| Race drivers | Conor Daly, Ryan Hunter-Reay |
| Sponsors | Sierra Pacific Windows |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Career | |
| Debut | 2021 Indianapolis 500 |
| Indy 500 victories | {{{Indy_wins}}} |
| Former series | IMSAandIMSA SportsCar Championship |
|---|
Cusick Motorsports is an American auto racing team based out of Thermal Ca. They currently compete in the IndyCar Series, and have previously competed in the IMSA and IMSA SportsCar Championship. For the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Dreyer and Rienbold Racing partnered with Cusick Motorsports to field Conor Daly in the #24 Polkadot / Elite IndyCar Dallara DW12 - Chevrolet Indy V6, and the #23 6666 Ranch / Venture HR Dallara DW12 - Chevrolet Indy V6 2012 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. Past Cusick Motorsports entrants have had Stefan Wilson in the #25 Dallara UAK18-Chevrolet Indy V6, in conjunction with DragonSpeed and A. J. Foyt Enterprises.[1] In IMSA past entries included the #99 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Rob Ferriol, Katherine Legge, Wilson and Nick Boulle, in conjunction with Team Hardpoint.[2]
History
[edit]IndyCar Series
[edit]2021
[edit]The team would first begin to compete in 2021, with Wilson driving the #25 Lohla Sport Dallara-Honda HI12TT/R at the Indianapolis 500.[3] The entry would be fielded in conjunction with Andretti Autosport.[3]
Wilson would successfully qualify for the race at a four-lap average speed of 229.714 miles per hour, which would put him in the 29th place starting position.[4] On lap 34, Wilson would crash out in the pit lane, causing him to retire, with 32 laps complete, in 33rd (last) place.[5] Wilson stated that the crash was due to the brakes locking as he slowed his car to meet the pit lane speed limit.[6]
2022
[edit]Cusick returned in 2022 with Wilson driving at Indianapolis in the #25 Gnarly Jerky/Lohala Sport/Sierra Pacific Windows Dallara-Chevrolet.[1] The entry was done in conjunction with DragonSpeed (who provided the pit crew members) and Foyt (who provided the equipment).[1]
For qualifying, Wilson did not make an attempt, due to his engine having an issue stemming from the second gear being where the third was supposed to be, meaning that when Wilson shifted to what was supposed the third gear, the engine spun beyond its threshold.[7] In the race, Wilson started 33rd (last) and would ultimately finish (two laps down) in 26th place.[8]
IMSA SportsCar Championship
[edit]2022
[edit]In 2022, Cusick expanded their operations to IMSA. In a partnership with Hardpoint, the team would field the #99 Grid Rival Porsche in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class.[2] Cusick's involvement would only be for the endurance races, where Wilson would race.[2]
At the 24 Hours of Daytona, Wilson joined Ferriol, Legge and Boulle.[9] The car would start in 53rd and complete 672 of 761 laps, causing them to finish in 38th place overall and 10th (out of 24 cars) class.[9]
Then, at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Legge, Wilson and Ferriol drove the car.[10] They qualified in 52nd place (out of 53 cars) and would improve their finish, from Daytona, to eighth in class and 33rd overall.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Bloyd, Kyle (May 5, 2022). "Stefan Wilson announced as 33rd entrant for 2022 Indianapolis 500". WISH. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c Pruett, Marshall (January 10, 2022). "Wilson joins Hardpoint's GTD endurance program". Racer. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Beaver, Dan (May 7, 2021). "Stefan Wilson added to six-driver, Indy 500 lineup for Andretti Autosport". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Indy 500 Row-by-Row Grid Walk". Grand Prix 247. May 30, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Indianapolis 500". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ Wade, Clark (May 30, 2021). "Stefan Wilson's Indy 500 ends early, crashes in pits". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ Marshall, Pruett (May 22, 2022). "Wilson thinking positive after qualifying scratch". Racer. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Indianapolis 500". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "2022 Rolex 24 at Daytona". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "2022 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved June 15, 2022.