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Bill Sweedler

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Bill Sweedler
Sweedler in 2017
NationalityUnited States American
BornWilliam Sweedler
(1966-10-11) October 11, 1966 (age 59)
Categorisation FIA Silver (until 2014)[1]
FIA Bronze (2015–)[2]
Championship titles
2015United SportsCar Championship – GTD

William Sweedler (born October 11, 1966) is an American businessman and racing driver who last competed in the GTD class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship for TR3 Racing. He is a past IMSA champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner, both for Scuderia Corsa.

Business ventures

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Sweedler began working at Ralph Lauren in 1989,[3] before founding Windsong Allegiance Group in 1994 and later working for Iconix Brand Group from 2005 to 2006.[4] Towards the end of the year, Sweedler founded Windsong Global and five years later co-founded Tengram Capital Partners.[5][6]

Racing career

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Sweedler made his car racing debut in 2007, racing in the SCCA Mazda MX-5 Cup for PRX Comosport on a part-time schedule.[7] Two years in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA for Orbit Racing then ensued, as well as a campaign in the Challenge cup of the 2009 American Le Mans Series, in which he scored a lone podium at Lime Rock to finish fifth in points.[8]

Sweedler pedaling his Alex Job Racing Lotus at Petit Le Mans in 2012.

Switching to ALMS powerhouse Alex Job Racing for 2010,[9] Sweedler took a best result of second at the 12 Hours of Sebring and three third-place finishes across the rest of the year to end the year fifth in the GT Challenge standings.[10] Remaining with Alex Job Racing for 2011, Sweedler finished second at Long Beach, Baltimore and the Petit Le Mans as he rounded out the year fourth in the GT Challenge points.[11] During 2011, Sweedler also made his 24 Hours of Daytona debut, driving for fellow Porsche outfit Chris Smith Racing in the GT class.[12]

Sweedler's AJR-run Boardwalk Ferrari at the 2013 12 Hours of Sebring.

At the start of 2012, Sweedler continued with AJR to race in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, the latter of which he won in the GT Challenge class.[13][14] For the rest of the year, Sweedler continued with the team as it fielded a Lotus Evora in the GT class,[15] scoring a best result of sixth at VIR to end the year 17th in the class standings.[16] Sweedler continued with the team for 2013 as they switched to a Ferrari 458 Italia GT2,[17] taking a best result of fourth at Laguna Seca as he rounded out the season 15th in the GT standings.[18]

Continuing with Ferrari machinery for 2014, Sweedler joined Level 5 Motorsports to compete in the newly-renamed United SportsCar Championship,[19] with whom he won the 24 Hours of Daytona in GTD alongside Townsend Bell, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Jeff Segal and Scott Tucker.[20] After Level 5 withdrew from the series after the race,[21] Sweedler joined AIM Motorsport for the rest of the year,[22] taking a pair of second-place finishes at Sebring and Watkins Glen en route to fourth in the points standings.[23][24]

Sweedler's stint with Scuderia Corsa yielded an IMSA title in 2015 and a 24 Hours of Le Mans win (pictured) in 2016.

Joining Scuderia Corsa alongside Bell for the following season,[25] Sweedler scored a lone win at VIR and a podium at the 12 Hours of Sebring to clinch the GTD title at season's end.[26][27] During 2015, Sweedler also raced for the team in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third in LMGTE Am at his first appearance at the event.[28] In 2016, Sweedler began the year with O'Gara Motorsport, driving a Lamborghini Huracán for the 24 Hours of Daytona,[29] before switching to fellow Lamborghini customer team Change Racing for the following two rounds.[30] During 2016, Sweedler also returned to Scuderia Corsa for a one-off round of the Pirelli World Challenge and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the latter of which resulted in a historic LMGTE Am win for the all-American trio.[31]

The following year, Sweedler returned to now-Audi-aligned Alex Job Racing for select rounds of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, scoring a best result of sixth twice and ending the year 25th in the GTD standings.[32] During 2017, Sweedler also raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Scuderia Corsa, finishing third in LMGTE Am in his third appearance at the event.[33] In 2018, Sweedler remained with Scuderia Corsa to race in the endurance rounds of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, in which he took a best result of fifth at the 24 Hours of Daytona.[34] After a year on the sidelines, Sweedler made select appearances in GT World Challenge America for Lamborghini squad TR3 Racing in both 2020 and 2021,[35][36] before competing with them in the 24 Hours of Daytona the following year in GTD.[37]

Racing record

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Racing career summary

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Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2007 SCCA Mazda MX-5 Cup PRX Comosport 6 0 0 0 0 58 18th
2008 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA – Platinum Orbit Racing 10 0 0 0 0 47 17th
SCCA Mazda MX-5 Cup 2 0 0 0 0 25 38th
2009 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA – Platinum Orbit Racing 10 0 0 0 3 103 8th
American Le Mans Series – Challenge 5 0 0 0 1 39 5th
2010 American Le Mans Series – GTC Alex Job Racing 9 0 0 0 4 109 5th
2011 Rolex Sports Car Series – GT Chris Smith Racing 1 0 0 0 0 16 57th
American Le Mans Series – GTC Alex Job Racing 9 0 0 0 4 117 4th
2012 Rolex Sports Car Series – GT Alex Job Racing 1 0 0 0 0 17 67th
American Le Mans Series – GTC 1 1 0 0 1 0 NC
American Le Mans Series – GT Lotus / Alex Job Racing 9 0 0 0 0 21 17th
2013 American Le Mans Series – GT Team West/AJR/Boardwalk Ferrari 8 0 0 0 0 35 15th
2014 United SportsCar Championship – GTD Level 5 Motorsports 1 1 0 0 1 293 4th
AIM Autosport 10 0 0 0 2
2015 United SportsCar Championship – GTD Scuderia Corsa 10 1 0 0 2 281 1st
24 Hours of Le Mans – LMGTE Am 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 3rd
Ferrari Challenge North America – Trofeo Pirelli Ferrari of Beverly Hills 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2016 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD O'Gara Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 35 36th
Change Racing 2 0 0 0 0
Pirelli World Challenge – GTA Scuderia Corsa 1 0 0 0 0 0 18th
24 Hours of Le Mans – LMGTE Am 1 1 0 0 1 N/a 1st
2017 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD Alex Job Racing 5 0 0 0 0 106 25th
24 Hours of Le Mans – LMGTE Am Scuderia Corsa 1 0 0 0 1 N/a 3rd
2018 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD Scuderia Corsa 3 0 0 0 0 61 36th
2020 GT World Challenge America – Am TR3 Racing 2 2 0 0 2 50 2nd
2021 GT World Challenge America – Am TR3 Racing 3 0 0 0 2 36 2nd
GT World Challenge America – Pro-Am 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC†
Intercontinental GT Challenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2022 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD TR3 Racing 1 0 0 0 0 218 60th
Sources:[38][39]

As Sweedler was a guest driver, he was ineligible for championship points.

Complete American Le Mans Series results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points Ref
2009 Orbit Racing GTC Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Porsche 3.8 L Flat-6 UTA
DSQ
LRP
2
MDO
Ret
ELK
5
LAG
4
5th 39 [40]
2010 Alex Job Racing GTC Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Porsche 3.8 L Flat-6 SEB
2
LBH
3
LAG
7
UTA
8
LRP
6
MDO
3
ELK
4
MOS
3
PET
7
5th 109 [41]
2011 Alex Job Racing GTC Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Porsche 3.8 L Flat-6 SEB
8
LBH
2
LRP
3
MOS
4
MDO
5
ELK
Ret
BAL
2
LAG
4
PET
2
4th 117 [42]
2012 Alex Job Racing GTC Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 SEB
1
NC 0 [43]
Lotus / Alex Job Racing GT Lotus Evora GTE Toyota (Cosworth) 4.0 L V6 LBH
12
LAG
12
LRP
10
MOS
8
MDO
11
ELK
7
BAL
10
VIR
6
PET
11
17th 21
2013 Team West/AJR/Boardwalk Ferrari GT Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 Ferrari 4.5 L V8 SEB
Ret
LBH
7
LGA
4
LIM
9
MOS ELK BAL
7
COT
8
VIR
10
PET
9
15th 35 [44]

Complete Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Rank Points Ref
2011 Chris Smith Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Porsche 4.0L F6 DAY
19
MIA BAR VIR LIM WGL ELK LAG NJMP WGL CGV MOH 57th 16 [45]
2012 Alex Job Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Porsche 4.0L F6 DAY
14
BAR MIA NJMP BEL MOH ELK WGL IMS WGL CGV LAG LIM 67th 17 [46]

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos. Points Ref
2014 Level 5 Motorsports GTD Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 Ferrari 4.5L V8 DAY
1
4th 293 [47]
AIM Autosport SEB
2
LGA
14
DET
8
WGL
2
MOS
13
IMS
4
ELK
5
VIR
8
COA
8
PET
7
2015 Scuderia Corsa GTD Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 Ferrari 4.5L V8 DAY
6
SEB
3
LGA
4
DET
9
WGL
4
LIM
9
ELK
4
VIR
1
COA
6
PET
4
1st 281 [48]
2016 O'Gara Motorsport GTD Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Lamborghini DGF 5.2 L V10 DAY
15
36th 35 [49]
Change Racing SEB
18†
LGA
15
BEL WGL MOS LIM ELK VIR AUS PET
2017 Alex Job Racing GTD Audi R8 LMS Audi 5.2L V10 DAY
6
SEB
15
LBH COT DET WGL
14
MOS LIM
8
ELK VIR LGA PET
6
25th 106 [50]
2018 Scuderia Corsa GTD Ferrari 488 GT3 Ferrari F154CB 3.9L Turbo V8 DAY
5
SEB
17
MDO DET WGL
10
MOS LIM ELK VIR LGA PET 36th 61 [51]
2022 TR3 Racing GTD Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 DAY
11
SEB
LBH
LGA
MDO
DET
WGL
MOS
LIM
ELK
VIR
PET
60th 218 [52]
Source:[38]

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

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Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2015 United States Scuderia Corsa United States Jeff Segal
United States Townsend Bell
Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 LMGTE Am 330 24th 3rd
2016 United States Scuderia Corsa United States Jeff Segal
United States Townsend Bell
Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 LMGTE Am 331 26th 1st
2017 United States Scuderia Corsa United States Townsend Bell
United States Cooper MacNeil
Ferrari 488 GTE LMGTE Am 331 29th 3rd
Sources:[53][38]

References

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  1. ^ "IMSA COMPETITION MEMO #14-28" (PDF). imsa.com. International Motor Sports Association. January 19, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  2. ^ "Entry List 24 Heures du Mans 2015 v2" (PDF). Dailysportscar. Automobile Club de l'Ouest. June 10, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  3. ^ "At Work: Bill Sweedler Juggles Private Equity Investing With Race Car Driving". wwd.com. May 15, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  4. ^ "Joe Boxer Head Steps Down". wwd.com. May 22, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  5. ^ "Tengram acquires Graham". nypost.com. July 13, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  6. ^ "Tengram to acquire luxury menswear brand Zanella". pehub.com. June 16, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  7. ^ "MX-5: Cleveland Saturday race results". motorsport.com. June 24, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  8. ^ "AMERICAN LeMANS SERIES: Cars, weather, and entertainment awinning combination at Lime Rock". registercitizen.com. July 19, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  9. ^ "Alex Job Racing returns to ALMS at Sebring". autoweek.com. February 4, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  10. ^ "Wurz, Gene, Davidson give Peugeot first Sebring victory". racecar.com. March 21, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  11. ^ "ALMS: Oryx Dyson Racing scores overall win in Baltimore". autoweek.com. September 2, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  12. ^ "Rolex 24: Pruett leads Ganassi team to victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona". autoweek.com. January 29, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  13. ^ "Grand-Am: Alex Job Racing to field two Porsches in the Rolex 24". autoweek.com. December 19, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  14. ^ "McNish, Kristensen, Capello lead Audi to 12 Hours of Sebring victory". autoweek.com. March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  15. ^ "AJR To Enter Lotus Evora GTE In 2012 ALMS". dailysportscar.com. February 21, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  16. ^ "Lotus Alex Job Racing takes sixth with Evora in GT at VIR". motorsport.com. September 16, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  17. ^ "ALMS teams West Racing, Alex Job partner for Ferrari GT effort". autoweek.com. February 6, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  18. ^ "Alex Job Racing takes exciting fourth in GT at Laguna Seca". motorsport.com. May 12, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  19. ^ "TRG/ AMR, Level 5 And Scuderia Corsa Confirm 2 Car GTD Entries". dailysportscar.com. November 25, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  20. ^ "Ferrari, trionfo storico alla 24 Ore di Daytona". repubblica.it (in Italian). January 27, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  21. ^ "Level 5 To Exit 2014 TUSCC". dailysportscar.com. February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  22. ^ "TUSCC: 12 Hours of Sebring, Race Preview, GTs". dailysportscar.com. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  23. ^ "12 Ore di Sebring: doppio podio per la Ferrari". motoremotion.it (in Italian). March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  24. ^ "Westporter Sweedler living dream on race track". ctinsider.com. July 29, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  25. ^ "IMSA News Update: GTD, Sweedler & Bell To Scuderia Corsa, Nielsen To TRG AMR". dailysportscar.com. November 7, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  26. ^ "TUSCC: VIR, Race, Porsche Dominates; Sweedler/Bell Take First GTD Win". dailysportscar.com. August 24, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  27. ^ "Bell, Sweedler Finally Secure Their First Sports Car Titles". sportscar365.com. October 4, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  28. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours: Wrapping Up GT, Corvette & SMP Ferrari Win". dailysportscar.com. June 14, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  29. ^ "IMSA: Bell, Sweedler confirmed for O'Gara Motorsport Lamborghini". racer.com. November 10, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  30. ^ "IMSA: Sweedler and Bell join Change Racing". racer.com. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  31. ^ "Historia secreta: Cómo el Ferrari ganador de Le Mans casi se queda sin la gloria". motorsport.com (in Spanish). July 1, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  32. ^ "Alex Job Racing Signs Townsend Bell, Bill Sweedler for 2017". frontstretch.com. December 27, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  33. ^ "GTE, Genuine Balance Of Performance In Pro". dailysportscar.com. June 18, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  34. ^ "Scuderia Corsa Adds Second Car for NAEC; Sweedler, Bell Return". sportscar365.com. December 15, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  35. ^ "GT World Challenge America Struggles Back Into Action AT VIR This Weekend". dailysportscar.com. July 7, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  36. ^ "GT Racing News Notebook: IMSA, GT World Challenge & British GT". dailysportscar.com. August 27, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  37. ^ "TR3 Set for Rolex 24 Debut With Former Class Winners". sportscar365.com. December 1, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  38. ^ a b c "Bill Sweedler Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  39. ^ "Bill Sweedler | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  40. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2009 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  41. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2010 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  42. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2011 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  43. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2012 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  44. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2013 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  45. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2011 NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  46. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2012 NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  47. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  48. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2015 Tudor United SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  49. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2016 Weathertech SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  50. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2017 Weathertech SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  51. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2018 Weathertech SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  52. ^ "Bill Sweedler – 2022 Weathertech SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  53. ^ "William Sweedler". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
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