Laredo, TX – November 2025
The announcement that fans across Brazil and the United States had been waiting for is finally official: Brazilian-American driver Celso Neto, one of the brightest young talents in touring car racing, has been confirmed as the winner of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship (3D) for 2025–2026. The prestigious program recognizes and supports promising drivers who demonstrate both performance and leadership potential on their way to international careers.
As detailed in the recent IMSA official release, the next step in Neto’s journey is already defined: he will race with Stallion Motorsports in the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, driving the new CUPRA Leon VZ TCR in the TCR category. This milestone marks a defining moment for both driver and team.
At just 21 years old, Neto’s career already includes victories and podiums in TC America, TCR South America, and IMSA competition, where he finished his debut season fourth in the Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR standings with three podium finishes. The new partnership represents not only professional progress but also a continuation of the cultural bridge he embodies between Brazil and the United States.
“Being selected by IMSA and representing Stallion Motorsports at the same time is a dream come true,” said Neto. “The 3D Scholarship is more than just an award—it’s a responsibility. I want to continue inspiring other young Brazilian drivers to believe that it’s possible to reach this level through hard work, focus, faith, and dedication.”
Founded in Orlando, Florida, Stallion Motorsports LLC was created with an Italo-Brazilian-American DNA—uniting passion, strategy, and innovation. With its operational base in Texas and a partnership network spanning the U.S., Brazil, and Europe, the team is preparing for a complete debut program in the 2026 IMSA season with car #77—a symbol of a new generation of independent teams and international talent.
Stallion’s official confirmation came after its inclusion in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge roster, as reported by leading media outlets. The project is led by a familiar name in the paddock—Celso Neto himself—who, beyond being the primary driver, also serves as co-founder and technical ambassador. He brings together on-track experience and entrepreneurial vision to shape Stallion’s competitive strategy.
The team’s weapon of choice, the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR, represents state-of-the-art front-wheel-drive technology, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, Hewland sequential gearbox, and factory support from CUPRA Racing Spain and NGP Motorsports USA. The car has already demonstrated competitive pace in IMSA and is now set to debut under the Stallion banner at the Rolex 24h Daytona Weekend.
The operation receives additional technical and logistical backing from GOU Racing & Logistics—the first American OEM-level team to run the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR platform and earn a podium at Virginia International Raceway. Both teams proudly share the color orange and a shared philosophy of professionalism, innovation, and long-term growth. The collaboration has been described internally as “two constellations aligned.”
With corporate support from AMED S/A and Oeste Cotton, Stallion Motorsports represents a modern model of motorsport organization that connects technology, business, and culture. Its debut at the Rolex 24h Daytona Weekend in January 2026 will mark the beginning of its international campaign, with future expansion plans including a second entry for 2027 and potential participation in global events such as TCR South America and the Macau Grand Prix.
The arrival of Celso Neto at Stallion Motorsports completes the final link in this international bridge—Brazilian talent with an American base and global ambition. As noted by several IMSA coverage articles, the project reinforces IMSA’s mission to foster diversity and opportunity within motorsport while welcoming new privateer teams with manufacturer alignment.
“We believe motorsport is a universal language,” commented the team’s marketing manager, Flávio Bergmann. “Celso represents the voice of a new generation—young, prepared, and driven by a purpose that goes beyond the racetrack.”
The official driver launch will take place this Friday at an exclusive event organized by Stallion Motorsports. The announcement of the remaining drivers and team personnel will follow in the coming weeks, and fans can stay tuned for updates on Stallion’s Instagram and the team’s digital hub via Linktree, where teasers and behind-the-scenes moments continue to build excitement ahead of Daytona.
With the slogan “Bold. Driven. Innovative.” at its core, Stallion Motorsports is not only preparing a race program but defining a new identity for independent teams in North American touring car racing. As the team often says: Upward. Always.
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