Joey Hand Cleared for IMSA Return at Road America Following Pelvis Injury

Joey Hand is officially back in the cockpit. The veteran Ford Racing factory driver has been medically cleared to return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship this weekend, reclaiming his seat in the No. 66 Gradient Racing Ford Mustang GT3 EVO for the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America. His return marks the end of a frustrating mid-season hiatus and provides a massive morale boost for a Gradient Racing squad preparing to tackle one of North America's most demanding road courses. After weeks of uncertainty regarding his physical status, Hand's presence in the paddock signals that the Ford factory program is back to full strength for the crucial endurance stretch of the season.[1][2]

Hand was unexpectedly sidelined earlier this summer after suffering a fractured pelvis in what he described as a "fluke" karting accident. The severe bone injury forced him to miss the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen in June, a marquee event on the IMSA calendar and a critical points-paying round for the Michelin Endurance Cup. During his absence, sprint driver Corey Lewis stepped in to fill the void alongside full-time co-drivers Till Bechtolsheimer and Jake Walker. Lewis and the team worked hard to keep the No. 66 Mustang competitive in upstate New York, while Hand was forced to watch from the sidelines and focus entirely on a grueling physical rehabilitation process.[1][5][6]

Working closely with renowned motorsports physician Dr. Terry Trammell, Hand underwent an intensive and carefully monitored recovery program. A fractured pelvis is a particularly challenging injury for a racing driver, as the lower body must withstand immense braking pressures and violent lateral g-forces inside a modern GT3 machine. The recovery required a delicate balance of complete rest to allow the bone to knit, followed by targeted physical therapy to rebuild core strength. By late July, Hand's bone healing and physical conditioning had progressed enough for him to receive the green light to resume all racing activities, perfectly timing his return for the WeatherTech Championship's grueling six-hour endurance round in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.[1][4]

"I'm thrilled to be back in the race car with Gradient Racing, driving the Ford Mustang GT3 that I know and love so much," Hand said in a team statement ahead of the race weekend. He emphasized that Road America holds a special place in his career, praising the circuit's high-speed technical demands, incredible food, and passionate fanbase. "I can't think of a better place to make my return... I'm really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and making something happen." Hand also made a point to publicly thank Dr. Trammell for the expert medical advice that accelerated his timeline for getting back into a race suit.[2][4]

Gradient Racing has been steadily building momentum in the highly competitive GTD class, and Hand's technical expertise is expected to provide a significant strategic advantage this weekend. Co-driver Jake Walker noted that the team has continued to fight through various mechanical and on-track challenges all season, adding that having Hand's veteran presence back in the garage is a major asset. Hand's deep understanding of the Mustang GT3 EVO's tire degradation characteristics and aerodynamic setup will be crucial as the team dials in the car during practice sessions, ensuring the vehicle is optimized for the shifting track temperatures expected on Sunday.[1][4]

This year marks a significant shift for the Road America event, as the historic 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit hosts a six-hour Michelin Endurance Cup race rather than its traditional two-hour, forty-minute sprint format. The extended duration places a heavy premium on consistency, driver stamina, and mistake-free execution over long stints. For Hand, the true test will be how his recently healed pelvis handles the sustained physical punishment of navigating high-load corners like the "Kink" and the "Carousel" lap after lap in heavy multi-class traffic. Surviving the six hours will require seamless driver changes and a flawless pit strategy from the Gradient Racing crew.[4][5]

Hand's return is one of several notable lineup shifts shaking up the GTD class grid this weekend. The expanded endurance format requires three-driver lineups, bringing fresh faces and returning veterans to the paddock. The grid will see the IMSA endurance debut of Robert Wickens in the DXDT Racing Corvette, while Devlin DeFrancesco and Ryan Yardley join Rennsport One's Porsche entry. With 19 cars entered in the GTD class alone—and a massive 54-car field overall—Gradient Racing faces a fiercely competitive battle for a podium finish against factory-supported efforts from Porsche, Lexus, and Aston Martin.[2][3][5]

Despite the physical and mental hurdles of the past few months, Hand views the forced hiatus as an unexpected opportunity for a mental reset. He returns to the paddock feeling rejuvenated, intensely focused, and eager to deliver a strong result for the Ford factory program. Proving that even a broken pelvis couldn't keep him out of the cockpit for long, Hand is ready to write the next chapter of his storied sports car career. If Gradient Racing can execute a clean race, Hand's comeback story could culminate in a celebratory trip to the Road America podium.[4][6]