DragonSpeed Overview
DragonSpeed is an American motorsports team founded in 2007 by Elton Julian and based in Jupiter, Florida. The team competes in international endurance racing series including the European Le Mans Series and FIA World Endurance Championship, and participates in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. DragonSpeed is recognized for its competitive presence in prototype racing, highlighted by winning the European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship in 2017 and the LMP2 Pro/Am category at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Founding and Organizational Origins
DragonSpeed was established in 2007 by racing driver Elton Julian with the goal of creating a competitive racing team in endurance motorsports. The team debuted in 2011 at the 24 Hours of Daytona, competing in the GT category with a Ferrari F430 Challenge. After a brief hiatus in 2012, DragonSpeed returned to competition in 2013, entering the Prototype Challenge class of the American Le Mans Series with an Oreca FLM09-Chevrolet. The early years focused on building operational expertise and assembling a skilled team to compete in endurance racing.
Growth Into European Le Mans Series Competition
In 2016, DragonSpeed expanded its operations by purchasing an Oreca 05-Nissan to compete in the LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series. The team fielded drivers Henrik Hedman, Ben Hanley, and Nicolas Lapierre, achieving four podium finishes including a win at Spa, and finishing fourth in the LMP2 standings. The following year, DragonSpeed acquired two Oreca 07-Gibson cars, with the #21 car retaining the Hedman-Hanley-Lapierre lineup and the #22 car branded as G-Drive Racing. The team secured multiple podiums and won the 2017 European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship, marking a significant milestone in their growth.
DragonSpeed Competitive Journey
DragonSpeed’s racing progression spans multiple series, including the American Le Mans Series, Pirelli World Challenge, Blancpain Endurance Series, FIA World Endurance Championship, and a brief stint in the IndyCar Series. The team has steadily developed its competitive capabilities, achieving success in endurance prototype racing and expanding its presence internationally.
Early Seasons and Development (2011–2015)
DragonSpeed’s first competitive appearance was in 2011 at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GT category, finishing 15th in class. After missing the 2012 season, the team competed part-time in the Prototype Challenge class of the 2013 American Le Mans Series, finishing sixth in the standings. In 2014, DragonSpeed switched to the Pirelli World Challenge with Ferrari and later Mercedes-Benz GT3 cars, culminating in Frank Montecalvo winning the GTA category title in 2015. The team also competed in the 2015 Blancpain Endurance Series Pro-Am Cup, gaining valuable European racing experience.
Breakthrough in European Le Mans Series (2016–2017)
DragonSpeed’s breakthrough came with its entry into the European Le Mans Series LMP2 class in 2016, achieving multiple podiums and a race win at Spa. In 2017, the team expanded to two cars and secured the LMP2 championship with consistent podium finishes. The G-Drive branded car driven by Memo Rojas and Léo Roussel was instrumental in this success. This period marked DragonSpeed’s establishment as a top contender in endurance racing.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2018–Present)
Since 2018, DragonSpeed has competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship, entering the LMP1 class with a BR Engineering BR1-Gibson car and fielding strong driver lineups including Henrik Hedman and Ben Hanley. The team also continued its LMP2 efforts with notable drivers and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning the LMP2 Pro/Am category in 2021. DragonSpeed briefly entered the IndyCar Series from 2019 to 2020, running a Chevrolet-powered car driven by Ben Hanley, before suspending the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team returned to IndyCar for the 2022 Indianapolis 500 in partnership with Cusick Motorsports. DragonSpeed remains focused on endurance and prototype racing with ambitions to expand its competitive footprint.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
DragonSpeed emphasizes technical excellence, strategic race execution, and strong driver lineups to excel in endurance prototype racing. The team is known for its adaptability across various series and conditions, leveraging engineering innovation and teamwork to secure podium finishes and championships.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones include DragonSpeed’s first race in 2011 at Daytona, the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge GTA title, the 2017 European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship, and the 2021 LMP2 Pro/Am victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team’s entry and performance in the FIA World Endurance Championship and its brief participation in the IndyCar Series also mark significant chapters in its history.
DragonSpeed Achievements and Results
DragonSpeed has earned notable accomplishments in endurance racing, highlighted by its European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship in 2017 and multiple podium finishes in international series. The team has demonstrated competitive consistency and growth across various motorsport disciplines.
European Le Mans Series Achievements
DragonSpeed secured its first major championship by winning the 2017 European Le Mans Series LMP2 title. The team achieved multiple race wins and podiums during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, including a double victory at Monza in 2017. These results established DragonSpeed as a leading team in the LMP2 category.
FIA World Endurance Championship Achievements
Since entering the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2018, DragonSpeed has competed in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. The team has fielded competitive cars and drivers, gaining valuable experience and achieving respectable finishes in the world’s premier endurance racing series.
IndyCar Series Participation
DragonSpeed participated in the IndyCar Series from 2019 to 2020, running a Chevrolet-powered car driven primarily by Ben Hanley. Despite challenges including mechanical issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, the team competed in marquee events such as the Indianapolis 500 and planned a broader race schedule before suspending its program. DragonSpeed returned for the 2022 Indianapolis 500 in a joint entry.
Other Series Achievements
DragonSpeed has also competed successfully in the Pirelli World Challenge, winning the GTA category in 2015, and participated in the Blancpain Endurance Series Pro-Am Cup. These efforts contributed to the team’s development and international racing credentials.