BRASELTON, Ga. (October 1, 2026) – RAFA Racing Team driver Westin Workman will advance to IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with the team’s Toyota GR Supra GT4 program in 2027 after being named the IMSA Diverse Driver Development (3D) Scholarship recipient for 2027-28.

The announcement was made Thursday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, where Workman enters the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge finale with nine victories from 10 GSX races and a perfect record of 10 pole positions aboard the No. 8 RAFA Racing Team Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2.

Workman will receive scholarship benefits worth up to $300,000 to support his 2027 campaign. From the four eligible IMSA-sanctioned championships, Workman will compete in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series in the Grand Sport (GS) category with RAFA Racing Team’s championship-winning Toyota program.

The move will continue Workman’s development within the organization led by Rafael Martinez and Kevin Conway, while continuing in the Toyota Driver Development (TD2) program, which has supported his progression for three years.

“There’s no other team I’d rather be a part of right now than RAFA Racing Team,” Workman said. “We’re all eager and determined to keep building the program… Kevin always says he wants to build the team he always wanted to drive for. They’ve given me countless opportunities.”

Workman emerged from a group of 15 scholarship finalists, 13 of whom have competed in at least one IMSA-sanctioned championship in 2026. The selection process included IMSA-led modules covering marketing, business development, personal branding, media training and nutrition, followed by the submission of a business plan outlining each finalist’s proposed 2027 program.

A multiple-time finalist, Workman secured the scholarship after several years of working toward the opportunity.

“Obviously it’s an honor to be recognized as the IMSA scholarship winner this year,” Workman said. “It lets you know you’re on the right path. There’s still a lot of work to do and a lot of goals I want to achieve, but this is definitely a step in the right direction, and it feels great to be recognized for the hard work I’ve been putting in to make this happen.”

His performances in the No. 8 Toyota have established him as the GSX championship leader entering Road Atlanta, with a 480-point advantage over 2023 IMSA 3D Scholarship recipient Courtney Crone.

However, Workman and RAFA Racing Team have approached the season with a broader objective than winning sprint races. The program has provided an opportunity to develop the skills he will need in Michelin Pilot Challenge, including tire management, fuel saving, consistency and working through traffic.

“These 45-minute sprint races really show you how much you have to be on your game, because any race could come down to those last 45 minutes, like an endurance race,” Workman explained. “In VP Challenge, we’ve been trying to use this year as a chance to learn things I may not otherwise learn, like fuel saving, consistency, getting up to speed quickly and tire management.”

Sharing the track with faster LMP3 machinery has added another element to that preparation, requiring Workman to manage passing traffic while protecting his own lap time.

His ability to recover from setbacks has also been tested. Two of his nine victories came after he dropped to the back of the GSX field before the racing had begun.

At Daytona International Speedway, mechanical trouble on the pace lap left Workman a straightaway behind the field in wet conditions. He recovered to take the victory in what he considers his favorite race of the season.

At VIRginia International Raceway, a pace-lap spin created another challenge before he worked his way through the field to win.

“VIR did have a cool aspect because the GT4s were the show of VP Challenge,” Workman said. “Daytona though, starting the race from a straightaway behind, I had to come back through in the rain. It was my favorite this year.”

For RAFA Racing Team, the scholarship recognizes a driver who has combined results with a commitment to learning, preparing for his next opportunity and contributing to the team’s continued development.

“We’re incredibly proud of Westin and everything he has done to earn this opportunity,” said Rafael Martinez. “The wins and pole positions speak for themselves, but what makes us most proud is the work behind those results. He comes prepared, listens, learns and keeps pushing himself to improve, even after a weekend when he’s won every race.

“We want the RAFA Racing Team to be a place where talented drivers can develop and take the next step in their careers. Westin has made the most of the opportunities he’s been given, and we’re excited to continue that journey with him in Michelin Pilot Challenge. This scholarship is a recognition of his effort and persistence, and we’re grateful to IMSA and its partners for supporting his future.”

The TD2 program has played a central role in his development, supporting opportunities in GR Cup and GT4 competition.

“Toyota picked me up early when a lot of things were hitting, as I was driving and also still in school, helping me into GR Cup and eventually into GT4. I’m very thankful for Toyota because if it wasn’t for them, I have no idea where I would be in my career right now. It’s an honor they’ve put as much trust in me as they have.”

The scholarship provides further support for that progression as Workman prepares to take the next step with RAFA Racing Team.

“IMSA is delighted to award this year’s 3D Scholarship to Westin Workman,” said Brandon Huddleston, IMSA’s Vice President of Partnership Marketing and Business Development. “Westin’s been part of this process for several years as a finalist and has worked tirelessly to achieve this scholarship through several years of persistence. His attitude is exemplary, and his on-track performance has been excellent. We can’t wait to see how he continues to progress forward in his career.”

For Workman, the move to Michelin Pilot Challenge follows a deliberate approach to developing his career, with each season building toward the demands of the next.

“I’ve learned that for me, I pride myself on always being ready for the next step,” he said. “There’s a plan in place, and I just have to stay true to it.”

The IMSA 3D Scholarship promotes opportunities for drivers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to compete in select IMSA-sanctioned championships. Eligible programs include the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Mustang Challenge.

The scholarship includes financial assistance from IMSA and support from Michelin, VP Racing Fuels, OMP, Bell, RAFA Racing Club and Lumen Digital Agency. Applications for the 2028-29 scholarship will open in January 2027.