By Westin Workman
Daytona was a really strong way to start the year for us. Running IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge was all about getting more seat time in the Toyota GAZOO Racing’s GR Supra GT4 EVO2, and it’s already paying off.
Every lap in that car matters, and Daytona gave us a little bit of everything to work with. The weekend honestly couldn’t have gone much better from a development standpoint.
We had one dry race and one wet race, and even in the wet, we ran into problems that forced us to start from the back and fight our way forward. Being able to pass cars, handle changing conditions, and still come out on top was huge for my confidence and for my understanding of the Supra at a deeper level.
Coming into the weekend, we had high expectations. When we saw the entry list, the goal was clear: win both races. That’s the standard I set for myself every time I get in the car, and it’s the mindset I’m carrying through the rest of the season. The goal is to win every race we enter, and I truly believe that’s attainable.
Making the step from the GR Cup car to the GT4 car has been a big but rewarding transition. The GT4 is simply a better all-around race car. There’s more adjustability with traction control, ABS, brake bias, throttle maps, and steering maps. There are many more tools available, and I’m still learning how to fully maximize them.
What helped make that transition smoother is the foundation I built racing lower-horsepower cars. I came up through karting, MX-5 racing, and GR Cup, where you really have to focus on precision. Those cars don’t hide mistakes. If you miss a mark or make a small error, you lose a lot of time. That kind of racing forces you to be disciplined, consistent, and clean.
I’ve always believed that low-horsepower racing builds better drivers. When you step into a faster car, those habits carry over. In a GT4 car, mistakes don’t cost you as much lap time, but consistency still wins races. Hitting your marks, managing tires, and staying composed are just as important, and those are things that have been ingrained in me from the beginning.
Race two at Daytona really tested that composure. When things went wrong before the start, my mindset was simple: control what I can control. A few years ago, I probably would’ve been stressed and emotional on the radio. This time, I stayed calm. I trusted the team to fix the issue, and I trusted myself to do the job once we got back out there.
That calm mindset made a big difference. It was a wet race, and wet racing is all about experience and confidence. Everyone is a little more cautious, and if you stay smooth and patient, opportunities come to you. Starting from the back, we were able to work through the field and put ourselves in position to win.
One of the coolest parts of the weekend was experiencing Daytona’s banking in the GT4 car, especially in the wet.
In slower cars, it can feel like you’re sliding down the banking. In the GT4, you really feel the car load up, almost pushing you into the seat. The downforce helps, too.
In wet conditions, the banking is actually the driest part of the track since all the water runs to the bottom, which makes it one of the least sketchy sections.
Working alongside Rafa (Martinez) as a teammate was another highlight. Building that relationship quickly made a big difference. Even though we were racing each other, there was a lot of mutual support.
We talked through data, video, and on-track feel, and that kind of open communication helps everyone get better. Having the team owner in the same race and being able to help each other was a really unique experience.
One thing I’ve learned over the past couple of years is how important communication is, especially on the radio. During the Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Daytona, I spent time listening from the other side, hearing how crews talk when the radio is off, and it really changed my perspective. Staying calm and clear doesn’t just help me—it helps the entire team.
If a driver is calm, the team can stay calm. If you’re panicked or emotional, things can get misunderstood, and the wrong fixes can be made. At Daytona, we communicated clearly, the issue got fixed, and we went back out and won the race. That’s a perfect example of why mindset matters just as much as pace.
Daytona was a great step forward, but it’s only the beginning. Every race is another chance to learn, improve, and raise the bar. That’s the standard I’m holding myself to all season long.
It was a great way to start my time with the RAFA Racing Team. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to race for the team this year and so appreciative of everything they are doing to help me this year.
