The 2025 racing season is shifting into high gear, and two of IndyCar’s biggest stars are set to turn heads at Sebring International Raceway. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden will swap their open-wheel firepower for the monstrous Porsche 963s in next week’s IMSA-sanctioned test at the historic Florida circuit. With 37 cars set to hit the track from February 11-13, the intensity is already reaching a fever pitch.
Penske Power: McLaughlin and Newgarden Join the IMSA Fray
Fresh off his exhilarating run with Trackhouse by TF Sport at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Scott McLaughlin will step into the cockpit of the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 for the first time in an IMSA-sanctioned test. Meanwhile, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden will strap back into the No. 7 Porsche for the first time since leading the team to victory at the 2024 Rolex 24.
Newgarden is no stranger to endurance racing, having already made waves with a short stint in the 2023 Petit Le Mans. Now, with more seat time in the ferocious GTP machine, the IndyCar stars will look to prove their adaptability and skill against the sportscar world’s elite.
Aston Martin Valkyrie Roars Into IMSA
The Sebring test will also mark the much-anticipated first IMSA outing for the revolutionary Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH. The hypercar will make its official race debut next month at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and all eyes will be on Ross Gunn, Roman De Angelis, and FIA WEC star Alex Riberas as they push the cutting-edge machine to its limits.
International Talent Joins the Fray
Adding another layer of intrigue, 29-year-old British driver Sennan Fielding will test the JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963. Fielding, the 2022 British GT4 champion, has been climbing the endurance racing ladder with strong performances in LMP3 competition, and Sebring could be his first major step toward a full-time IMSA ride.
Meanwhile, Honda factory driver Kaku Ohta will take the wheel of the No. 18 Era Motorsport ORECA 07 LMP2 as part of his preparations for a GTP debut with Acura Meyer Shank Racing. The Japanese ace is expected to add select LMP2 races to his already jam-packed 2025 schedule.
A Stacked Field, Big Names, and Even Bigger Stakes
A total of 10 GTP cars are expected to hit the track, though notable absences include the No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R, which suffered heavy damage at Daytona, and the No. 63 Lamborghini Squadra Corse SC63.
In LMP2, the AF Corse duo of Matias Perez Companc and his father, Luis, will share duties in the No. 88 ORECA, while young talent Jonny Edgar will put his versatility on display by testing both AO Racing’s “Spike” Porsche 911 GT3 R in GTD PRO and the “Rexy” No. 99 ORECA LMP2.
Ford Multimatic Motorsports is also expected to see the return of Ben Barker in the No. 64 Mustang GT3. After suffering a collarbone injury that sidelined him for Daytona, Barker is looking to get back to full strength ahead of the grueling IMSA season.
Test Schedule and What to Expect
The action kicks off on Tuesday with GT classes taking center stage before all four classes hit the track for Wednesday’s main sessions. The week wraps up on Thursday with an exclusive prototype-only test, where the GTP beasts will unleash their full fury on the Sebring bumps.
With elite talent, powerhouse teams, and fresh manufacturer entries, this Sebring test isn’t just a prelude—it’s a high-stakes preview of what’s to come in 2025. Buckle up, because the battle for IMSA supremacy is about to ignite!