IMSA driver Graham Doyle made his first-career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start this weekend, putting together a resilient effort to score a top-20 finish in his debut.
While the Tampa native dabbles in a new discipline of motorsports, Doyle is actively competing with Wayne Taylor Racing across two of its programs: the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Pro-Am class of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America.
Currently sitting atop the Pro-Am championship standings with fellow co-driver Danny Formal, Doyle has everything working in the right direction in sportscar racing.
Championship Momentum with Danny Formal
“It’s been amazing,” Doyle said. “I’ve watched Danny over the last three years absolutely dominate Super Trofeo. During my first season, they won the championship. My second season, he finished second in the championship. Last year, he won both the North American championship and the World Finals championship again.”
“Watching Danny continue to dominate in these cars and keep pushing to get better has been unbelievable.”
“When I was fortunate enough to pair with him this season, I think we both knew we had a great combination. We were going to work really well together, and we just meshed. I think that’s been pretty obvious throughout the season, and it’s been pretty great so far.”
Not only has Doyle found success in the Lamborghini single-make series, but Wayne Taylor Racing’s GTD program has also gained momentum. While Doyle is behind the wheel during the endurance rounds, the No. 45 Lamborghini Huracán GTD effort has made significant strides.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s the best team in the business, to tell you the truth,” Doyle said. “The GTD program has been amazing to watch. Our first season had its ups and downs. Last year, we got our first win at Mosport, and then this year, even though I wasn’t in the car at Laguna Seca, watching Danny have a perfect weekend was incredible.
“We won both Super Trofeo races, then won the GTD race as well. Watching Danny and Trent mesh so well together, seeing how strong the car was, and watching the team perform on pit lane—it was truly flawless execution. That’s honestly why they won the race. Our strategy, our pit sequence, everything was perfect. That’s how this team operates week in and week out.”
“At Watkins Glen, unfortunately, we had a mechanical issue early in the race, but again, the team worked tirelessly to make sure the car was perfect. Watching the guys in the garage was like watching a ballet. Everybody knew exactly where to be and exactly what to do while trying to get the car back on track.”
“Unfortunately, we made it back out for a few laps before another issue forced us back into the garage. But that’s racing. The team stayed positive, kept working, and kept pushing because they know the results are going to come.”
Building Chemistry Across Two Programs
For Doyle, there is plenty of crossover between both programs. With Formal also racing in the GTD program and Trent Hindman joining the duo in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, the three Wayne Taylor Racing drivers are well acquainted with one another. That familiarity has become a benefit in building chemistry, particularly between Formal and Doyle.
“Danny is a genius with these cars,” Doyle said. “On weekends where I have double duty—like Watkins Glen, Sebring, and again at Road America—we’re running both the Super Trofeo and GT3 programs. Being able to bounce ideas off Danny, talk setup, and compare notes is invaluable.
“Since we’re both driving both cars, I can get out of the Super Trofeo car, tell him exactly what I’m feeling, and we can immediately start working through ideas together. Then we can do exactly the same thing in the GT3 car.”
“On weekends where one program needs a little more attention than the other, Danny can pick up the slack, or I can do the same. By the end of the day, we’ve balanced everything out together. It’s really nice because it’s never like you’re sacrificing one program to benefit the other. Between the two of us, we’re able to keep making gains on both sides.”
While Doyle and Formal’s relationship began as teammates, their bond has continued to grow outside the car as both drivers push one another to succeed.
“Danny has been, and I say this with complete sincerity, like a big brother to me ever since I started,” Doyle said. “I remember my first race with Wayne Taylor Racing was at Laguna Seca, and immediately I was Danny’s wingman. He was helping me out. In my opinion, he was putting my development ahead of himself.”
“That’s just who Danny is. He’s an amazing person. He wants to see me succeed before he even succeeds himself, which is very rare. You very seldom find that in racing. Everybody’s kind of out for themselves, but Danny is truly someone who wants to help others.”
“Working with him in 2023 from more of a coaching standpoint, and then working together on the GT side in 2024, we totally clicked. We’re best friends.”
Inside Wayne Taylor Racing’s Culture
While his teammates have helped him grow as a driver, being part of one of North America’s premier sportscar teams has also played a major role in Doyle’s development.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s the best team in the business, to tell you the truth,” Doyle said. “When I joined Wayne Taylor Racing in 2023, I was on the Super Trofeo side. At that point, we had one GTP car. Now we have two GTP cars, a GTD car, and a full Super Trofeo program with four cars. It’s unbelievable to see how much the team has grown.”
“Week in and week out, they’re putting the best cars on track. They’re the best people in the business. They’re working 24/7, 365 days a year, to make sure the cars are absolutely perfect. I think that’s shown on the GTD side, the GTP side, and especially on the Super Trofeo side this year.”
“I mean, I look back to when I first started testing with the team in 2022. I was 16 years old. I was this young kid who was still figuring everything out in the sports car world. I was still finding my footing in the series.”
“Now I look at myself four years later. I’m 20 years old, and I feel like I have a really good grasp not only on sports car racing but on racing in general.”
“This team is truly special in the way they work with young, up-and-coming drivers. They know how to develop drivers and put people in the right places to build long-term careers rather than simply putting someone in a customer racing program. I couldn’t be any happier than I am being part of this team.”
The End of the Huracán Era
As for the future, there are plenty of exciting developments within the Lamborghini camp. With the debut of the new Temerario GT3, many are watching to see which teams will receive one of Lamborghini’s newest GT3 cars.
While Pfaff Motorsports was the first to debut the car at Sebring, Wayne Taylor Racing appears to be next in line, although the timeline remains uncertain.
“We’re in the middle of the season, so it’s still pretty open-ended as far as where we’ll end up next year,” Doyle said.
“Unfortunately, this is the final year for the Huracán. We’re hoping to give it the sendoff it deserves for the rest of the season. The same goes for the Super Trofeo Huracán. Both cars are being retired at the end of the year, which is honestly kind of heartbreaking for me because that’s the car I started my professional career in.”
“The Temerario is an exciting car, though. Lamborghini has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into developing it. The Temerario Super Trofeo car is also really exciting. I’ve been fortunate enough to see both the GT3 and Super Trofeo versions in person, and the amount of development that’s gone into those cars is unbelievable.”
“As far as this season goes, we’re going to finish it out in the Huracán, but we’re hoping to finish this year the way the Huracán deserves—with a trip to victory lane.”
With this being the final year of the Huracán, Doyle admits he’ll miss the many memories he has made with the car.
“That car is kind of everything to me,” Doyle said. “I owe that car a lot. It gave me my start in professional racing. It got me to Wayne Taylor Racing. It gave me my first professional wins. It’s taken me places I never imagined I’d be.”
“Every time I get into that car, I’m just happy to be there. The sound, the feel, everything about it brings back memories. Every time I drive it, I’m reminded of 2023 when I won my first professional race. It takes me back to winning a World Finals race for Wayne Taylor Racing during my first season, somehow pulling a rabbit out of the hat in Italy and becoming the youngest driver ever to win a World Finals race at 17 years old. Those are memories I’ll never forget.”
Looking Ahead to Road America
Next up for Doyle is a return to action with Wayne Taylor Racing in a few weeks for the first six-hour endurance race at Road America, where he’ll make his first GT3 start at the historic circuit.
“I can’t wait!,” Doyle said. “Road America is such a fun racetrack, and I’ve only ever raced there in Super Trofeo. I can’t wait to drive the GT3 car around that place.”
“In my mind, I know Danny has raced there for a few years now, ever since the GTD program started, but just thinking about that track in a GT3 car, I’m like, “Oh my God, it’s going to be unbelievable.” Then you add in the endurance format and having to manage traffic over six hours, and it’s going to be an incredible race.”
“I even think back to last year when I was there racing in Super Trofeo. The turnout, the fans, and how invested everybody was made it feel like I was racing at the Rolex 24. That’s how passionate everyone was, and the paddock was absolutely packed. I can’t even imagine how great it’s going to be for the six-hour race—not only for myself and the team, but for the sport in general.”
“I love seeing IMSA continue to grow. Over my four years in the series, that’s all I’ve seen. Every year it just keeps getting bigger and bigger, so I can’t wait to get back in the car there.”
