DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – With anticipation building for the start of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Gradient Racing is proud to unveil its driver lineup for the Rolex 24 At Daytona as well as their plans for the remainder of the calendar. Now entering their second year of competition with the No. 66 Ford Mustang GT3 Evo, the Austin-based group is poised for a highly competitive effort.
Gradient Racing will welcome Jake Walker as a full season driver, accompanied by Joey Hand and Till Bechtolsheimer for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds, both of whom rejoin the lineup for a second consecutive year. Corey Lewis will complete the team’s Rolex 24 at Daytona lineup, and will pair up with Walker for all the sprint rounds. The strong respective pairings across the endurance and sprint campaigns positions the team as an exciting and dynamic presence in the GTD (Grand Touring Daytona) category.
After making his GT3 debut in late 2023, Jake Walker has quickly risen up the ranks and collected victories at every step. In both 2024 and 2025 he competed in the endurance rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and is now preparing for his first full-season endeavor.
“I’m excited to be joining Gradient Racing and competing in the full IMSA WeatherTech Championship season,” said Jake Walker. “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.”
Corey Lewis joins the team and brings with him a wealth of experience and race winning pedigree. He is a Rolex 24 At Daytona winner, a two-time Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring victor, and was crowned an IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Champion in both 2018 and 2020, making him a perfect addition to the roster. He joined the Ford family in 2024, having previously competed with the Mustang GT3 package, and the insights he has accumulated will serve as a highly valuable asset.
“I’m thrilled to be racing in the upcoming season with Gradient Racing in the new Ford Mustang GT3 Evo,” said Corey Lewis. “I have tremendous confidence in the driver pairing we’ve put together, and I’m genuinely excited about what we can achieve together. A sincere thank you to my sponsors for making this possible! I truly appreciate your continued support.”
Factory Ford driver Joey Hand also rejoins the team after racing in all the 2025 endurance rounds. With victories of his own at the Rolex 24, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans, Hand brings a world-class skillset. As one of the lead development drivers for the Mustang GT3, his insight will be invaluable as the team continues to maximize the platform as they enter their second year with the new machinery.
“I’m genuinely excited to be back with Gradient Racing and back in the Mustang for the endurance races,” expressed Joey Hand. “It feels like I’ve been part of this team for years, and that’s what makes this return so special. We’re heading into Daytona ready to pick up right where we left off. For me, comfort and chemistry make all the difference, and I think that will allow us to hit the ground running from the very first session. It’s a strong group, and I really believe we have what it takes to fight for wins together. Last year was all about building relationships and figuring things out. This year, we get to start from a place of trust, experience, and momentum. I love this team, I love driving the Mustang, and I think we can do some really cool things in 2026.”
Till Bechtolsheimer returns to Gradient Racing after also greatly contributing to the team’s 2025 Michelin Endurance Cup effort. Furthermore, he has already notched two victories with Gradient Racing in previous years, and will be seeking another during the season opener. His familiarity with the team and endurance background make him a valuable addition for the five endurance classics.
“I’m really happy to be back with Gradient for another Endurance Cup campaign,” said Till Bechtolsheimer. “This team has felt like home for many years, and every time I return, I’m reminded of the level of commitment that everyone brings to the program. We made solid progress with the Mustang GT3 throughout 2025, and coming into year two with the Evo package gives us a real opportunity to take another step forward. The lineup we’ve put together is incredibly strong, and I’m looking forward to making further progress together at Daytona. I’m very hopeful we can build on that and fight for another big result in January.”
“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 Team 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.”
Gradient Racing will be back on track for the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway, starting on January 16th, 2026.