In the music world, Grammy Award-winning producer Jim Jonsin is known for chart-topping tracks with artists like Beyoncé, Usher, and Lil Wayne. But in the racing paddock, he’s quickly making a name for himself behind the wheel.
This season, Jonsin teamed up with RAFA Racing Team’s Rafael Martinez for a full campaign in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. The pairing has already delivered results — including a class victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca — and currently sits third in the Bronze Cup standings heading into the next round at VIRginia International Raceway.
For Jonsin, the move to Michelin Pilot Challenge marks a big step up from last year’s solo drives in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.
“In Sprint Challenge, it’s just you in the car, one set of tires, and you’re not worrying much about tire degradation,” Jonsin said.
“Now, you’re sharing a car. You’ve got different opinions in the room, different driving styles — and you’ve got to find a setup that works for both. That’s been interesting.”
Michelin Pilot Challenge also throws him into multi-class battles with a variety of manufacturers, from Porsches to Aston Martins to the RAFA Racing Team’s GR Supra GT4 EVO2.
“Everyone’s got a different tool in their box,” he said.
“Certain cars have more horsepower, others have better aero, or are lighter. It makes it really challenging — and a lot of fun — because each track suits different cars in different ways.”
His partnership with Martinez started after the two raced against each other in Porsche Sprint Challenge and reconnected at Michelin Pilot Challenge events.
“I asked him if he’d be interested in running together, and here we are,” Jonsin said.
“I’m really happy to be with him and the team — it feels like running with a Formula 1 outfit. Rafa’s got the right people in the right places making the right calls, and that gives me a lot of confidence.
“Just being here with RAFA Racing — the level of the team is next level. It’s organized, everyone knows their role, and they execute. It’s a group of great people, and I feel confident we’re going to do really well.”
Jonsin’s music career remains as busy as ever, with ongoing projects in hip-hop, pop, and country. Balancing two careers requires creativity — and portability.
“I can cut a song in the camper or hotel room, send files back and forth, even finish mixes between practice sessions,” he said.
“I worked on the track ‘The Champion’ with Carrie Underwood and Ludacris while on vacation at Martha’s Vineyard. There have been times I’ve finished songs at the racetrack.”
Technology in music production has made this dual life possible, and Jonsin sees parallels between the data-driven approach of modern racing and the digital precision of the recording studio.
“In music, you move things around until it sounds right. In racing, you make your edits on track — braking a little earlier, getting on throttle sooner, hitting your marks. It’s the same mindset of constant refinement.”
He also draws similarities between reviewing a lap trace and editing sound waves.
“When I’m editing audio, I can move and adjust elements visually without even listening. In racing, you can see in the data where you’re leaving time on the table — then you go out and make those changes.”
Jonsin’s pre-race soundtrack is eclectic, ranging from mellow Coldplay tracks to hard-driving rock and roll.
“Before the race, I’m usually playing rock — Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, Lynyrd Skynyrd — but sometimes it’s hip-hop. It depends on the day, but it all helps get me locked in.”
Not everyone in the music industry knows about Jonsin’s racing career.
“Some people are surprised — like, ‘Wait, you race cars?’ I guess I could’ve chosen golf, but racing’s way more fun. And when you win, especially on TV, you get bragging rights.”
With one win already under their belts and momentum building, Jonsin and Martinez head to VIR with clear objectives.
“That’s what we’re trying to do here — win. And have a blast doing it.”
The VIR weekend will be another test of adaptability in IMSA’s highly competitive GS class. The track’s mix of high-speed esses, technical corners, and long straights offers strengths and weaknesses for each manufacturer, making race strategy and driver execution critical.
For Jonsin, the challenge is part of the appeal.
“It’s all exciting stuff,” he said. “You’ve got to be ready to adjust to the track, the conditions, the competition — and still go out there and push.”
The music producer-turned-racer has proven he can do both — lay down a platinum-selling beat and nail a perfect lap under pressure. As the season heads into its second half, Jim Jonsin’s rhythm in the cockpit is only getting stronger.
