Following a highly positive debut season in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, Kiwi racer Madeline Stewart steps up to the Carrera Cup NA with JDX Racing.
Third in her first season of competitions in North America, Madeline Stewart will continue her progression on the Porsche Motorsport ladder stepping up from the 992 GT3 class of the Porsche Sprint Challenge NA to the main one-make series – the Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
Stewart, who had previously competed in the Australian Carrera Cup, soon proved to belong to the top of the field in her first American campaign: she would claim a pole position at debut at Sebring, followed by a pair of podium finishes in her first weekend in the series.
Her 2023 season turned out to be an extremely consistent one and, with more podiums at Barber Motorsports Park, Mid Ohio Sports Car Course and a couple of third place finishes at COTA, she ran steadily in the top five in the remaining races; the JDX Racing driver scored a big haul of points at most of the rounds and secured third place in the championship standings of the 992 class.
The New Zealander was also selected for the Porsche Female Driver Development Program – which she will continue to represent in 2024 in her step up to the Carrera Cup, again under the banner of JDX Racing. Stewart will team up with returning drivers Alex Sedgwick and Elias De La Torre IV - as well as reigning Porsche Sprint Challenge champion and Porsche Junior driver Zachary Vanier. All four drivers will compete in the Pro category.
"I am very excited to be stepping up into Porsche Carrera Cup North America with JDX for the 2024 season" – Madeline commented. "We had some great success last year in the Porsche Sprint Challenge. I developed a lot as a driver through working with JDX Racing, and I also learned so much about racing in this part of the world."Â
"I see a great future in Sports Car Racing in the USA, and with more driving experience and track knowledge I am looking forward to building on last year - and I have a fantastic team around me to do so," added the driver of the #82 Porsche.
Pre-season testing started on Monday March 5th at Sebring International Raceway, which will also host the opening round of the 2024 season.
Stewart is the second female driver to enter the Porsche Carrera Cup North American series, after fellow Porsche Female Driver Development supported driver Sabré Cook made her debut in 2023.
"I’d like to especially thank Porsche Motorsport North America for the support they’ve provided through the Female Driver Development Program, which has helped me get on the grid this year", Stewart continued. "Also, to Jeremy and Harrison from JDX Racing for their continued support."
The 2024 calendar includes rounds at iconic North American venues such as Watkins Glen and Road America – as well as F1 support weekends at Miami, Montreal and Austin.