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Nunez Joining Derani in No. 31 Whelen Cadillac for 2022

Conway Returns to Action Express Team for Endurance Races

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Action Express Racing announced Thursday that Pipo Derani will return to drive the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R in 2022 and be paired for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with Tristan Nunez. Mike Conway will return to the team for the four IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup events.

 

Nunez, who turns 26 on Halloween, is a seven-time race winner in IMSA’s top-level series, including at this year’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class with WIN Autosport. From 2015-2020, Nunez drove for the Mazda Motorsports prototype program, earning a win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2019.

 

“Over my entire career, Cadillac has always been the car to beat,” Nunez said. “I’ve always admired Action Express Racing’s ability to produce well-earned victories and beautifully run races. This is a huge step in my career and I’m excited for the challenge.

 

“I couldn’t be happier to be paired with Pipo. Year after year, he’s proven to be one of the best. Off track, I feel we will have great camaraderie, which I feel is a key component to having success in this sport. Having Mike as a third (driver) solidifies the (No.) 31 Whelen Cadillac as a force to be reckoned with.”

 

In 2022, Derani will enter his fourth season with AXR driving the No. 31 Cadillac. He has five wins since joining the team in 2019 to go along with nine additional podium finishes. Derani and current co-driver Felipe Nasr are second in the Daytona Prototype international (DPi) standings, just 19 points from the lead heading to the Motul Petit Le Mans season finale on Nov. 13 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

 

“I am happy that I will be back behind the wheel of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R next year for what will be my fourth season with the team,” Derani, 28, said. “IMSA has proven to be one of the best and most competitive racing series in the world with some of the most amazing endurance races a driver can be a part of. Coming back to fight for more wins and championships with AXR felt like a logical and easy decision to make.

 

“I am also very happy to welcome Tristan to the Whelen Engineering/AXR team. Tristan has had a fantastic stint with Mazda and I am sure, together, we will form a very strong partnership. Expect to win!”

 

Team director Gary Nelson was pleased to add Nunez to the No. 31 driver lineup for 2022.

 

“Tristan will be new to our team, but with the experience we have on the pit box together with Pipo and Mike helping him with the nuances of the Cadillac DPi-V.R, he will fit right into the team,” Nelson said. “He has a lot of miles in the DPi category, so the competition level will be familiar to him as well. We are looking forward to continuing to run up front and compete for the IMSA WeatherTech DPi championship in 2022.”