Veterans Ready to Compete at Sebring

Military Veterans, IMSA Teams Continue Their Mission with Operation Motorsport at Sebring This Weekend

• Six U.S. military veterans participating as crewmembers with IMSA teams at Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring March 18-21, 2026 as part of year-long assignment
• Host teams include Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports, Acura Meyer Shank Racing, KohR Motorsports, Czabok Simpson Motorsport and Random Vandals Racing

Raleigh, N.C., 16 March 2026 – Six U.S. military veterans will compete in the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway this weekend as crew members for IMSA teams hosting them through Operation Motorsport®.

Veterans will serve in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and IMSA Michelin Pilot

Challenge paddocks as part of Operation Motorsport’s Motorsport Immersion program, which takes advantage of the unique aspects of motorsport to help veterans with a disability rating in the U.S. and Canada regain the sense of Team, Identity and Purpose they lost when leaving the military.

Founded in 2017, Operation Motorsport welcomed both new and returning partners to the program in 2026. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship) and BSI Racing (Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin) completed their first weekends as partners at the IMSA season-opener in Daytona, Fla.

Although providing veterans with a platform for healing is the primary goal of the Motorsport Immersion program, it also continues to provide occupations to U.S. and Canadian veterans through work opportunities and connection to others at the track and beyond.

Veterans and teams participating in the Sebring weekend include:

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

• Nolan Yuke (second-year participant), U.S. Army veteran (Theresa, N.Y.): Acura Meyer Shank Racing
• Mike VanCour (second year), U.S. Army veteran (Phenix City, Ala.): Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports

• Thomas Lescenski (second year), U.S. Army veteran (Killeen, Texas): KohR Motorsports
• Johnny Salada (second year), U.S. Army veteran (Niagara Falls, N.Y.): Czabok Simpson Motorsport
• Haley Stokes (first year), U.S. Air Force (West Columbia, S.C.): Random Vandals Racing
• Ryan Joy (first year), U.S. Navy (Tiverton, R.I.): Random Vandals Racing

The Sebring races offer an environment for the beneficiaries to continue strengthening their relationships with the teams they are a part of. In the Motorsport Immersion program, veterans travel with, work beside and become a member of the team that is hosting and mentoring them. Beneficiaries say the experience is the closest they’ve been able to come to the same feelings they had in the military.

“You have to make sure that the team environment that you put them in is kind and they understand why the veteran is there,” Operation Motorsport Executive Director Tiffany Lodder said. “They’re willing to provide that safety net, new mentorship and the support our veterans need. So it’s nice to be able to see that it does take a little bit of effort and patience to grow the program. Sebring is one of my favorite tracks. If you can even imagine that, it’s been seven weeks since Daytona. They’re all excited to see each other.”

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/

About Operation Motorsport

Operation Motorsport® is a Veteran-Led and Operated 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Foundation based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Brighton, Ontario.

It serves American and Canadian Service Members and Veterans based on three core values: Team, Identity, and Purpose. Operation Motorsport supports the recovery of medically retired or retired Service Members affected by military service through Motorsports opportunities. Our motto is “One At A Time.” For more information and to donate, please visit www.operationmotorsport.org.