Gradient Racing Unveils Sprint Lineup with Jenson Altzman and Robert Megennis

Austin, Texas (March 25, 2025) – Gradient Racing is proud to announce an exciting new driver lineup for the sprint rounds of the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC), featuring rising GT racing talent Robert Megennis and Ford Performance Junior Team driver Jenson Altzman. The dynamic duo will be co-driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang GT3, making their debut as a teammate pairing at the upcoming Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Robert Megennis, who boasts an impressive racing resume, brings forward a deep level of knowledge that extends far beyond his years. Notably, this will also mark Megennis’ return to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship field, having previously run with competitive programs in the series, in addition to seasons spent in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC). Megennis has earned four GTD class podiums in 15 IWSC appearances since 2021. Prior to his sports car success, he competed in Indy Lights, where he claimed nine podiums across the 2019 and 2021 seasons, including a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Andretti Autosport. He finished fifth in the championship standings in 2021, solidifying his reputation as a standout open-wheel talent.

“Being back in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is super exciting,” exclaimed Robert Megennis. “I think this series has the best sports car racing in the world. I’m thrilled to be driving the Gradient Racing Mustang GT3 and working to continue developing it. The support I've seen from Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports has been amazing. I have heard nothing but great things about this program, and I’m very happy to be a part of it and to have the opportunity to work with Jenson because we’ve known each other for a long time.”

When looking ahead to the sprint races, Megennis emphasized that he has big ambitions, adding that “I want to get the best out of myself and Mustang GT3. With this platform and lineup, I believe we have the potential to win races.”

As a Ford Performance Junior Driver, Altzman has already demonstrated his talent behind the wheel of Mustang through his involvement in Mustang Challenge development and GT4 competition, and now he’s set to showcase his abilities at the GT3 level. Altzman will make the move up the Ford Performance ladder, while continuing to compete in IMPC with McCumbee McAleer Racing.

“This opportunity is everything that I’ve been working toward and what I’ve looked up to since racing go-karts,” Jenson Altzman expressed. “Long Beach will be a very special event for me, and I’m ready to bring this Mustang to the front.”

When reflecting on his journey up the Ford Performance racing ladder, he went on to say: “I’ve been fortunate to have done some Dark Horse R development for Mustang Challenge and to have a hand in the Mustang GT4. It’s a tremendous feeling to be involved with Ford Performance, there’s really no one else in motorsports that offers this sort of opportunity. They’ve given me the tools the last few years to prepare for this, and I’m ready to deliver. The Junior Driver program has opened so many possibilities like this one. I’m so appreciative of McCumbee McAleer Racing for all they’ve done for me, and with them I was able to improve my skill level exponentially in such a short amount of time. This also would not be possible without the help of all my partners; I look forward to introducing returning partners to a new environment and am excited to bring some new faces to the IMSA paddock.”

“We're so happy to be able to announce our Sprint lineup alongside our endurance program for the year,” expressed Team Owner Andris Laivins. “Robert, Jenson, and I have been working hard to put this together, and I'm really looking forward to Long Beach where we're heading straight into a tough street course. I've watched both of these drivers develop in IMSA over the years, so it's going to be fun welcoming Rob to the Ford family, and to see Jenson step up into GT3 machinery for the first time after earning a spot on the Ford Performance Junior Team in GT4.”

“This announcement is a big deal for everyone involved,” echoed Chad McCumbee, co-owner of McCumbee McAleer Racing. “I am so happy for Jenson for reaching this huge milestone. He has had the proper mentality and approach to development since day one. MMR has been a part of his entire journey since moving into sports cars and this step proves the system works. Andris and I have been very close friends since 2012. With Gradient's move to Ford, we re-connected professionally and have been working together in the Mustang Challenge Series for the past two seasons. We sought to create a partnership where we could bring drivers from entry level IMSA participation, through Mustang Challenge, into a Mustang GT4 in IMPC and finally into the Mustang GT3 in WeatherTech.”