March 11th 2026

IMSA selects Diverse Driver Development Scholarship finalists

IMSA has selected its 15 finalist for the 2027–28 Diverse Driver Development (3D) Scholarship.

The 3D Scholarship promotes and empowers drivers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to participate in select IMSA-sanctioned series. Of the 15 finalists, 11 have reached this stage for the first time, with the other four being finalists in previous years.

One driver will be chosen in the fall to receive a $300,000 scholarship that will enable them to race full-time in one of four IMSA-sanctioned series: The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, or Mustang Challenge North America.

F1 Academy alumni Chloe Chambers and Nicole Havrda are among the 11 first-time finalists for the 3D scholarship; Chambers competed in the inaugural Mustang Challenge season, while Havdra took part in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge’s first Airbnb Endurance Challenge event at Sebring this past weekend.

Current Michelin Pilot Challenge drivers Hannah Grisham, Samantha Tan, Maddie Aust, and Thomas “Rocco” Pasquarella are joined by standouts from within the IMSA ladder and other series across North America: Gian Buffomante, Ismaeel Ellahi, Max Schweid, Caitlyn Singler, and Keawn Tandon.

The four returning finalists are VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Pirelli GT4 America competitor Westin Workman, Michelin Pilot Challenge driver Andre Castro, Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver Sabre Cook, and Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup’s Julian DaCosta.

Finalists will now work on IMSA-developed modules covering marketing, business development, personal branding, media training, fitness and conditioning, and networking with teams and manufacturers. The final step takes place on August 14, where all finalists must submit a business plan and secure a full-season ride in one of the four participating IMSA championships, which can be contingent on winning the scholarship.

Current 3D Scholarship holders Celso Neto (2025/26) and Nicky Hays (2026/27) currently compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge; Neto is in his second season in the series and first with Stallion Motorsport, while Hays moved up from Lamborghini Super Trofeo to Michelin Pilot Challenge with Random Vandals Racing.

Previous scholarship winners Jaden Conwright (2022) and Courtney Crone (2023) will also continue their careers within the IMSA paddock: Crone races in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge for CarBahn with Peregrine Racing, and Conwright will have a dual program in Pilot Challenge TCR (with Speed Syndicate) and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America (with SP Motorsports).

For more information: www.racer.com

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