LEXINGTON — The 65th season of racing begins at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with thrilling International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) sports car competition at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio (June 5 to 7).
The three-day event is headlined by a four-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge endurance race with additional on-track action from three other series.
In total, seven races will take the green flag this weekend as the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin and Mustang Challenge North America will each compete in a pair of races on the legendary 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course.
The headlining four-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge endurance race on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. is the second of only two four-hour competitions on the series’ 2026 slate.
Two weeks in advance of Father’s Day, the father-daughter team of Larry and Riley Pegram will compete in a field currently filled with 46 cars for Sunday afternoon’s four-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Representing the Hebron, Ohio-based Pegram Racing team, the duo will campaign in the Touring Car (TCR) class. While Larry is best known for a long, successful motorcycle road racing career featuring multiple professional Superbike wins, he acknowledges that partnering with his daughter brings a unique blend of challenge and satisfaction.
“Mid-Ohio is obviously one of the most challenging tracks because it has every different aspect that you want in a racetrack. But it’s also that my family and friends are here, and I get to sleep in my own bed at night,” Larry said. “That’s the difference that you don’t get at any other race track.”
“I’m incredibly excited to be racing at my home track this weekend. There’s nothing quite like competing close to home with so many friends and family there to support me,” said Riley. “The fans at Mid-Ohio are second to none, and knowing that everyone at The Mid Ohio School is cheering me on too makes it even more special.”
As of the June 1st IMSA pre-entry list, a number of other local Ohio racers will also take the track this weekend across multiple different series, including Athan Sterling (Medusa Motorsports) from Massillon and Ray Mason (Kohr Motorsports) from Columbus both in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) class. Additionally, MotoAmerica Superbike legend Larry Pegram and his daughter Riley Pegram from Hebron and Chad Gilsinger (Marysville) will compete in TCR. Amilio DiLauro (Akron) and Woody Heimann (Findlay) will race in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup.
Another Mazda MX-5 Cup competitor to watch out for, also with a special tie-in to the track, is Ryan Leach (St. Petersburg, Fla.) racing in the No. 89 car. Like Riley Pegram, Leach has spent time instructing at The Mid-Ohio School.
“The fans at Mid-Ohio are true diehard race fans,” said Ryan Leach, a former driving instructor at The Mid-Ohio School and current Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin entrant. “Being such an iconic track, it really brings out that old-school racing crowd and atmosphere.”
For more information and tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio tickets, visit midohio.com. Paddock access is free to get up close to the race transporters, cars and drivers.
Children 12 and under receive free general admission to any event at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Follow the event on social media with #IMSAatMO.