New Team, Identity & Purpose: 

Operation Motorsport Military Veterans Embedded with IMSA Teams for 2026

• Seven U.S. military veterans embedded with IMSA teams this season
• Host teams include Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports, Acura Meyer Shank Racing, KohR Motorsports, Czabok Simpson Motorsport, Random Vandals Racing and BSI Racing.

Raleigh, N.C. & Brighton, Ont., Can., 13 Jan. 2026 – Seven U.S. military veterans will work with IMSA teams this season in Operation Motorsport’s Motorsport Immersion program – the largest IMSA beneficiary class in the non-profit’s nearly nine-year history.

Veterans will serve in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge paddocks. Thanks to valuable team partners old and new, veterans will gain a new Team, Identity and Purpose as members of the motorsport crews they will work alongside – things they lost after being impacted by their service with the military in the U.S. or Canada.

This year’s Motorsport Immersion program continues momentum from 2025, which featured the largest class of veteran beneficiaries in the program’s history across multiple series in both countries. Twenty veterans were embedded with professional motorsport teams competing in IMSA, SRO, NASCAR Canada and FEL Radical Cup Canada. 

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Nolan Yuke, U.S. Army veteran (Theresa, N.Y.): Acura Meyer Shank Racing

Mike VanCour, U.S. Army veteran (Phenix City, Ala.): Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports

MSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Thomas Lescenski, U.S. Army veteran (Killeen, Texas): KohR Motorsports

Johnny Salada, U.S. Army veteran (Niagara Falls, N.Y.): Czabok Simpson Motorsport

Haley Stokes, U.S. Air Force (West Columbia, S.C.): Random Vandals Racing

Ryan Joy, U.S. Navy (Tiverton, R.I.): Random Vandals Racing 

Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup

Chance Sheffield, U.S. Army veteran,

(Bemidji, Minnesota): BSI Racing

“There’s an energy around our programs right now that is so exciting to see,” Tiffany Lodder said. “Our partner teams have been incredible. Some of our teams have been hosting veterans for many years now. They’ve helped us build a foundation for our veterans and a solid path toward the future that we’ve been able to expand on by welcoming new host teams and even more spots for veterans. We are so grateful for everything our partner teams continue to give our veterans, from opportunities to experiences, advice and mentorship.”

In the Motorsport Immersion program, professional motorsport teams host veterans as part of their crew, where they both use experience gained in the military and grow new, marketable job skills while receiving support from their motorsport team’s crew. Operation Motorsport has an event coordinator onsite to provide any needs the veterans may have. While the program is not designed to be a pipeline to fulltime employment, it often is. Through 2025, 19 veteran alumni had transitioned to careers in motorsport after their two-year assignment in the Motorsport Immersion program.

Team owners say participating in the program can be mutually beneficial. 

“Working with Operation Motorsport has been an incredibly rewarding experience for all of us at the team,” said Mike Shank, co-owner of Acura Michael Shank Racing. “(Yuke’s) dedication, professionalism and passion have been evident since day one. He’s become a true part of our racing family this season and it’s been amazing to see him grow and contribute in such a meaningful way. Programs like this make a real difference, and we’re proud to be a part of it.” 

Veterans with a VA/VAC rating in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to apply for Operation Motorsport’s Motorsport Immersion program.

For more information, visit: https://operationmotorsport.org/motorsport-immersion/