CRESSON, Texas (November 3, 2026) – Lone Star Racing takes another milestone step forward in its accomplished sports car racing program in 2027 with today’s announcement that the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport team will contest its first full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year in the GT Daytona (GTD) class. The Texas-based team will campaign the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 for second-year team drivers Lin Hodenius and James Roe, marking a new chapter for the organization following its most successful IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) GTD season to date in 2026.
The No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team was the only entry in the competitive class to complete every GTD race lap in the five-event endurance race championship, which amounts to 58 hours of racing and 1,638 total race laps. The year’s top finishes were fourth place runs at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans in addition to a sixth place in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona that was Lone Star’s best finish to date in the twice around the clock race.
“We’re super excited to jump off our first full season in the WeatherTech Championship,” said Lone Star Racing Team Manager and Technical Director AJ Petersen. “We started in 2016 doing GTD sprint rounds in IMSA and continued in ’17 and ‘19. We came back in endurance in 2024, ’25 and ’26. To put it together for a full season effort is what we’ve been working towards for years. Working to do it with proper partners, and we’re looking forward to it for years to come. It’s a solid foundation we’ve assembled.”
Lone Star’s results this year at Sebring and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, in particular, helped contribute to Mercedes-AMG winning the GTD manufacturer championship.
“I think this came about because of good finishes in ’26,” Petersen said. “It’s all the credit to the team, top to bottom. It’s been good to have the season we’ve had. Mercedes-AMG manufactures a great car, and it’s another good opportunity with a proven platform.”
Roe, a single seater veteran, has amassed two years of IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup experience in two classes. He’s spread his wings and found success in several sports car series. In IMSA, he raced with Pratt Miller Motorsports in LMP2 in most 2025 endurance rounds and shifted to GTD this year where he found success with Lone Star Racing and the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport family.
“This is a huge opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited to contest the full IMSA season with Lone Star Racing and Mercedes-AMG,” Roe said. “We ended last year knowing there was a lot more we could accomplish together, so having the opportunity to return, build consistency and compete at every round is incredibly motivating for me as a driver. We proved we could fight at the front in 2026, and our goal for 2027 is to turn that pace and potential into podium finishes throughout the season. I’m very thankful to Topcon, Topcon Solutions Store and Ring Power CAT for their continued support and belief in my career. We’re ready to get to work!”
“Obviously, a full season commitment is great,” Roe said. “We had the five races spread over the season, and having this core group together will build momentum. It’s all thanks to a great group of partners and a great brand in Mercedes-AMG to make all this happen.”
In total, Lone Star Racing competes in 2027 with the support of returning partners Topcon, Topcon Solutions Store, Ring Power CAT, Red Line Oil and Flow Traders in addition to the ongoing commitment from team owner and frequent driver Dan Knox.
“All of this would have never happened without Dan, and none of the growth that has emerged from his original vision would be possible without the support of great partners like Topcon, Topcon Solutions Store, Ring Power CAT, Red Line Oil, Flow Traders and so many others over the years,” Petersen said. “It is our goal to deliver winning results for all of them in 2027 and preparations for that season are happening now. From Dan to our drivers and fans, all of our partners and our families that support us year after year, we are grateful for all.”
The first race of the season kicks off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28-31, 2027. Roe will be appearing at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this week at the Red Line Oil booth #22933 on Wednesday. Lone Star Racing’s 2027 IMEC driver additions will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Lone Star Racing: Based at Motorsport Ranch within the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area in Cresson, Texas, Lone Star Racing contested in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 the 2026 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in the GTD class, in addition to other top sports car racing series. Lone Star Racing and its team members have won races across North America spanning sprint and endurance racing formats. The crew has worked together on many different teams and various types of cars, developing a strong bond and proven capability that gives them a competitive and winning advantage. Look for Lone Star Racing on Facebook and follow the team on YouTube at Lone Star Racing, on Twitter X and Instagram @LSRTeam and on the official team web site at www.LoneStarRacingTeam.com.