Action Express Racing

Last updated
Action Express Racing
Action Express Racing 2022.png
Founded2010
Team principal(s) Jim France (Team Owner)
Bob Johnson (Team Principal)
Gary Nelson (Manager)
Current series WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Former series Rolex Sports Car Series
Current drivers31: Full-time
Flag of New Zealand.svg Earl Bamber
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Aitken
Flag of Denmark.svg Frederik Vesti
Flag of Brazil.svg Felipe Drugovich
Drivers'
Championships
6 ('14, '15, '16, '18, '21 '23 IMSA)
Website axracing.com

Action Express Racing (AXR) dba Cadillac Whelen for the 2025 season is a sports car racing team that currently competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. [1] The team is owned by NASCAR CEO Jim France and run by Bob Johnson and former NASCAR champion crew chief Gary Nelson. Based in Denver, North Carolina, the team currently fields the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh for Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti.

Contents

History

Rolex Sports Car Series

Action Express Racing was founded in 2010 and ran in the former Rolex Sports Car Series. The team started out of the gate strong, by winning the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Their lineup in the No. 5 Riley Mk. XI featured João Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Ryan Dalziel, and Audi LMP1 driver Mike Rockenfeller. The team's win was notable as their engine, a Porsche 5.0L V8 engine, was not sanctioned by Porsche itself, and was built by a third party based on the Porsche Cayenne. Full season drivers Barbosa and Borcheller were joined by J. C. France for a few rounds, but did not find the podium again, finishing 13th in points. Barbosa, Borcheller, and France reunited the following season, taking a podium at the 2011 Rolex 24 and winning at Virginia International Raceway, enough for Barbosa and France to finish 5th in points. The team also expanded to the No. 9 Riley-Porsche, driven by Darren Law, IndyCar driver Buddy Rice, David Donohue, and Burt Frissele. After reuniting Barbosa and France, the team opted to replace the latter with Law, scoring wins at Belle Isle and the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen.

For 2013, AXR fielded both the Nos. 5 and 9, this time as Corvette Daytona Prototypes. They were driven by Christian Fittipaldi, Brian Frissele, Barbosa and Burt Frissele, respectively. The team opted to join Barbosa and Fittipaldi together for the remained of the season after Road Atlanta, and the pair scored two wins at Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen. While the Frissele brothers were teamed up, they only scored a single podium at Road America.

IMSA SportsCar Championship

Three straight championships (2014–2016)

For the newly formed IMSA SportsCar championship in 2014, AXR ran only the No. 5 of Barbosa and Fittipaldi for the full season, reducing the No. 9 crewed by the Frissele brothers and Jon Fogarty to only the North American Endurance Cup. AXR took three wins, including the team's second Rolex 24, en route to both the inaugural title and North American Endurance Cup for the No. 5. [2] For 2015, AXR assumed operations of the No. 31 Whelen Racing team, hiring GTD champion Dane Cameron to pair with Eric Curran. [3] The No. 5 took its second IMSA title as well as the NAEC on the back of two wins including the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans, while the No. 31 team won at Detroit and Road America to finish 3rd in points.

The No. 5 and No. 31 remained unchanged in 2016. With their worst finish being 6th and two wins at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and Road America, the No. 31 Corvette team won the drivers title, with the No. 5 team taking home another North American Endurance Cup. [4]

Cadillac partnership (2017–present)

From 2017, both Mustang Sampling Racing and Whelen Engineering Racing fielded Dallara-based Cadillac DPi-V.R machines. [5] The Rolex 24 At Daytona saw the Mustang Sampling Cadillac knocked from the lead on the penultimate lap by Wayne Taylor Racing, another Cadillac team. Following the Daytona outing near-miss, the team continued to learn the new Cadillac Prototype as the No. 10 team had a strong start to the season. Mustang Sampling Racing returned to the winner circle at Watkins Glen and began to gain momentum. Even with both cars taking wins, compared to the last three seasons, had a relatively disappointing year, the Nos. 5 and 31 only winning one race each, and watched the rival Wayne Taylor Cadillac win the first five races on their way to the WeatherTech Championship, however the No. 5 once again took the NAEC, their fourth in a row.

2018 brought changes to the team. Christian Fittipaldi moved to an endurance driver/manager role in the team, while Dane Cameron left to join Team Penske's new Acura program. Their spots on the team were filled by Filipe Albuquerque and ex-F1 driver Felipe Nasr, respectively. [1] The team started the 2018 season with a 1-2 finish at the Rolex 24, setting an all-time distance record. [6] The Mustang Sampling car then won at Long Beach, with the Whelen Engineering Racing squad taking a victory at Detroit, and eventually capturing both the WSCC and NAEC for 2018.

Action Express' V-Series.R during the 2023 Petit Le Mans Whelen Engineering Racing's Cadillac V-Series.R during the 2023 Petit Le Mans.jpg
Action Express' V-Series.R during the 2023 Petit Le Mans

For 2019, the Pipo Derani joins the team in the No. 31 from Extreme Speed Motorsports, filling a void left by Eric Curran's move to endurance driver role. Additionally, Christian Fittipaldi will leave the driver's seat as he finishes his transition to a management role following the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona. [7]

In 2021, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson joined the team in a brand new entry, the No. 48 Ally Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R. Simon Pagenaud, Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Rockenfeller joined Johnson in the car, which finished 2nd at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Johnson's former Hendrick teammate and defending NASCAR champion Chase Elliott joined the #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R team during the Rolex 24 at Daytona as well.

Racing results

Rolex Sports Car Series

YearChassisEngineNo.ClassDrivers12345678910111213Pos.Pts.
2010   DAY HOMBARVIRLIMWGIMOHDAYNJMPWGICGVMMP 
Riley Mk. XX Porsche 5.0L V8 9 DP João Barbosa
Terry Borcheller
115101241010101110101212th260
2011   DAY HOMBARVIRLIMWGIROALAGNJMPWGICGVMOH 
Riley Mk. XXPorsche 5.0L V85 DP David Donohue
Darren Law
9253556666353rd318
9 João Barbosa
J.C. France
3571677857645th314
2012   DAY BARHOMNJMPDETMOHROAWGIIMSWGICGVLAGLIM 
Corvette DP Chevrolet 5.5L V85 DP David Donohue 59342347863944th348
Darren Law 59343rd355
9166158455
João Barbosa 97871661584557th342

IMSA SportsCar Championship

YearEntrantNo.ClassChassisEngineDrivers1234567891011Pos.Pts.
2014   DAY SEB LBH LGA BEL WGL MOS IMS ELK AUS ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Action Express Racing5P Coyote Corvette DP Chevrolet 5.5L V8 João Barbosa
Christian Fittipaldi
133463411321st349
Burt Frisselle417th154
938410
Brian Frisselle 3841022nd106
2015   DAY SEB LBH LGA BEL WGL MOS ELK AUS ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Action Express Racing5P Coyote Corvette DP Chevrolet 5.5L V8 João Barbosa
Christian Fittipaldi
21543352611st309
31 Dane Cameron
Eric Curran
45451421533rd304
2016   DAY SEB LBH LGA BEL WGL MOS ELK AUS ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Action Express Racing5P Coyote Corvette DP Chevrolet 5.5L V8 João Barbosa
Christian Fittipaldi
43272122352nd311
31 Dane Cameron
Eric Curran
62336211241st314
2017   DAY SEB LBH AUS BEL WGL MOS ELK LGA ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Mustang Sampling Racing5 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 6.2L V8 João Barbosa
Christian Fittipaldi
22734166553rd284
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31 Dane Cameron
Eric Curran
638221014222nd291
2018   DAY SEB LBH MOH BEL WGL MOS ELK LGA ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Mustang Sampling Racing5 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 6.2L V8 Filipe Albuquerque 110146647DNS46th249
João Barbosa 1101467DNS18th128
Christian Fittipaldi 11064419th137
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31 Eric Curran
Felipe Nasr
23781733581st227
2019   DAY SEB LBH MOH BEL WGL MOS ELK LGA ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Mustang Sampling Racing5 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 6.2L V8 João Barbosa
Christian Fittipaldi
731866106577th258
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31 Dane Cameron
Eric Curran
21642744312nd297
2020   DAY1 DAY2 SEB1 ELK ATL1 MOH ATL2 LGA SEB2  
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 6.2L V8 Pipo Derani
Felipe Nasr
Filipe Albuquerque
Mike Conway
Gabby Chaves
7513325364th258
2021   DAY SEB MOH BEL WGL1 WGL2 ELK LGA LBH ATL  
QR
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 6.2L V8 Pipo Derani
Felipe Nasr
Mike Conway
Chase Elliott
166224113121st3407
Flag of the United States.svg Ally Cadillac Racing48 Jimmie Johnson
Kamui Kobayashi
Simon Pagenaud
Mike Rockenfeller
627547th1203
2022   DAY SEB LBH LGA MOH BEL WGL MOS ELK ATL  
QR
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 6.2L V8 Pipo Derani
Tristan Nunez
Olivier Pla
Mike Conway
743533653625th3083
Flag of the United States.svg Ally Cadillac Racing48 Kamui Kobayashi
Mike Rockenfeller
José María López
Jimmie Johnson
356637th1165
2023   DAY SEB LBH MON WGL MOS ELK IMS PET  
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Engineering Racing31GTP Cadillac V-Series.R Cadillac LMC55R 5.5 L V8 Alexander Sims
Pipo Derani
Jack Aitken
5153276461st2733
2024   DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL ELK IMS ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Cadillac Racing31GTP Cadillac V-Series.R Cadillac LMC55R 5.5 L V8 Jack Aitken
Pipo Derani
Tom Blomqvist
21022684954th2392
2025   DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL ELK IMS ATL  
Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Cadillac Racing31GTP Cadillac V-Series.R Cadillac LMC55R 5.5 L V8 Jack Aitken
Earl Bamber
Felipe Drugovich
Frederik Vesti
944610548th*1953*

* Season still in progress.

24 Hours of Le Mans

YearEntrantNo.CarDriversClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2023 Flag of the United States.svg Action Express Racing311 Cadillac V-Series.R Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Aitken
Flag of Brazil.svg Pipo Derani
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alexander Sims
Hypercar32417th10th
2024 Flag of the United States.svg Whelen Cadillac Racing 311 Cadillac V-Series.R Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Aitken
Flag of Brazil.svg Pipo Derani
Flag of Brazil.svg Felipe Drugovich
Hypercar28029th15th
2025 Flag of the United States.svg Cadillac Whelen 311 Cadillac V-Series.R Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Aitken
Flag of Brazil.svg Felipe Drugovich
Flag of Denmark.svg Frederik Vesti
Hypercar247DNFDNF

Race wins

Rolex Sports Car Series wins

#SeasonDateClassTrack / RaceNo.Winning DriversChassisEngine
1 2010 January 30–31 DP Daytona 9João Barbosa / Terry Borcheller / Ryan Dalziel
Mike Rockenfeller
Riley Mk. XXPorsche 5.0L V8
2 2011 May 14DP Virginia 9João Barbosa / Terry Borcheller / J.C. FranceRiley Mk. XXPorsche 5.0L V8
3 2012 June 2DP Belle Isle 9João Barbosa / Darren Law / J.C. FranceCorvette DPChevrolet 5.0L V8
4July 1DP Watkins Glen 9João Barbosa / Darren LawCorvette DPChevrolet 5.0L V8

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship wins

#SeasonDateClassesTrack / RaceNo.Winning DriversChassisEngine
1 2014 January 25–26Prototype Daytona 5João Barbosa / Sébastien Bourdais / Christian FittipaldiCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
2July 25Prototype Indianapolis 5João Barbosa / Christian FittipaldiCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
3August 10Prototype Road America 5João Barbosa / Christian FittipaldiCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
4 2015 March 21Prototype Sebring 5João Barbosa / Sébastien Bourdais / Christian FittipaldiCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
5May 30Prototype Belle Isle 31 Dane Cameron / Eric Curran Coyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
6August 9Prototype Road America 31Dane Cameron / Eric CurranCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
7October 3Prototype Road Atlanta 5João Barbosa / Sébastien Bourdais / Christian FittipaldiCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
8 2016 July 3Prototype Watkins Glen 5 Filipe Albuquerque / João Barbosa / Christian FittipaldiCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
9July 10Prototype Mosport 31Dane Cameron / Eric CurranCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
10August 7Prototype Road America 31Dane Cameron / Eric CurranCoyote Corvette DPChevrolet 5.5L V8
11 2017 July 2Prototype Watkins Glen 5 Filipe Albuquerque / João Barbosa / Christian FittipaldiCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 6.2 L V8
12July 9Prototype Mosport 31 Dane Cameron / Eric Curran Cadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 6.2 L V8
13 2018 January 27–28Prototype Daytona 5Filipe Albuquerque / João Barbosa / Christian FittipaldiCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
14April 14Prototype Long Beach 5 Filipe Albuquerque / João BarbosaCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
15June 2Prototype Belle Isle 31 Eric Curran / Felipe Nasr Cadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
16 2019 March 16(DPi) Sebring 31Eric Curran / Pipo Derani / Felipe NasrCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
17April 13(DPi) Long Beach 5Filipe Albuquerque / João BarbosaCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
18October 12(DPi) Road Atlanta 31Eric Curran / Pipo Derani / Felipe NasrCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
19 2020 July 18(DPi) Sebring 31Pipo Derani / Felipe NasrCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
- 2021 January 24(DPi) Daytona (Qualifying Race) 31Pipo Derani / Felipe NasrCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8
20 2023 March 18GTP Sebring 31 Jack Aitken / Pipo Derani / Alexander Sims Cadillac V-Series.RCadillac LMC55R 5.5 L V8

References

  1. 1 2 Pruett, Marshall (September 28, 2017). "Nasr, Albuqueruqe Join Action Express For 2018". Racer.com . Racer Media and Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on 2018-01-08. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  2. "Action Express wins TUDOR prototype title". federalnewsnetwork.com. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  3. "Whelen teams with Action Express in 2015". motorsportstribune.com. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  4. "Another Championship for Action Express Racing". sportscarracingnews.com. 3 October 2016. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  5. "Cadillac Reveals DPi-V.R Prototype Race Car For 2017". media.cadillac.com. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  6. "Albuquerque wheels home No. 5 Cadillac DPi to overall Rolex 24 at Daytona victory". nascar.com. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  7. "Derani to join Action Express IMSA team in 2019". racer.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.