Johnny O'Connell


Johnny O'Connell is the most successful GM factory racing driver from the United States. He currently drives for Cadillac in the Pirelli World Challenge, winning the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 GT driver's championship.

Career

Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, O'Connell started racing in the Formula Atlantic series in 1987, winning the Championship and Rookie of the Year. He also spent 1996 in the Indy Racing League, racing in the Indianapolis 500 and finishing in the top 10 in half of his 4 starts. He has seven class wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring, more than any other driver, and an overall title in 1994 when racing for Nissan. Driving for Corvette Racing, he has also won a number of class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. With his teammate Ron Fellows he won the 2003 GTS class driver's championship.
O'Connell was also featured in Chevy's 2007, Super Bowl ad, "Ain't We Got Love" also featuring Mary J. Blige, rapper T.I., Big & Rich, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
In 2013, O'Connell competed in the Johnsonville Sausage 200 at Road America in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro; he finished 12th in the event.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

Nationwide Series

Ineligible for series points

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Indy Racing League results

YearTeamChassisEngine12345678910RankPoints
1996Cunningham RacingLola T94
Reynard 95i		Ford XB V8tWDW
7		PHX
5		INDY
29		9th192
1996–97Treadway RacingReynard 95iFord XB V8tNHA
Wth		40th23
1996–97Treadway RacingReynard 94iFord XB V8tLVS
12		WDWPHX40th23
1996–97A.J. Foyt EnterprisesG-Force GF01Oldsmobile Aurora V8INDY
DNQ		TXSPPIRCLTNHALVS40th23

Indy 500 results

Heritage

The O'Connell family, principally of Derrynane, are a Gaelic Irish noble family of County Kerry in Munster. O'Connell comes from the Irish word "O'Conaill," meaning 'strong as a wolf'. Johnny O'Connell is related by blood to the Belanger Family, including Jackson Belanger.