Cooper MacNeil

Cooper MacNeil is an American racing driver who currently competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He gained big success early in a career, becoming the American Le Mans Series GTC class champion in 2012, driving a Porsche for Alex Job Racing. In 2013, he defended an ALMS GTC title. In 2017, MacNeil scored GTE Am class podium at 24 hours of Le Mans, driving a Ferrari for Scuderia Corsa.

Cooper MacNeil

Racing debut in 2009, first Daytona attempt in 2011

Born in Hinsdale, Illinois, Cooper started a career in the 2009 SCCA National Touring Championship, driving a Mini Cooper S in the Runoffs. He finished in the sixth place of Touring 3 class. Next year, he was second in the Touring 2 class at the Runoffs, driving a BMW M3.

In 2011, Cooper started a season with his debut at 24 Hours of Daytona, driving a Porsche 997 GT3 cup for Mitchum Motorsports. He failed to finish the race. He captured his first win in Ferrari Challenge race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as well as one victory in the IMSA GT3 Challenge. He won at Montreal in a Porsche of Alex Job Racing. Scoring two more podiums, he finished 13th in the final standings of the IMSA GT3 Challenge.

Cooper MacNeil - two-time ALMS champion

2012 American Le Mans Series GTC champion

For the 2012 season, Cooper joined Alex Job Racing as a full-time driver in the American Le Mans Series, driving the #22 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup in the GTC class. His first win came at Lime Rock Park, where he was sharing a car with Leh Keen. In a victory at Road America, MacNeil's co-driver was Jeroen Bleekemolen and then again Leh Keen at Virginia.

With three wins, MacNeil became the GTC champion, ahead of teammate Leh Keen and TRG's Spencer Pumpelly.

2013 Sebring 12 Hours GTC class winners

Defending championship title in 2013

For the 2013 season, MacNeil stayed with Alex Job Racing and defended his GTC title. This time, his full-time partner was Jeroen Bleekemolen and they were champions together. Their first win of the season was at Sebring 12 Hours, with Dion von Moltke as third co-driver.

They won once again at Mosport, securing back-to-back championship title for MacNeil. He also participated at Daytona 24 hours, finishing 6th in the GT class.

In 2013, MacNeil debuted at Le Mans with Chevrolet

Le Mans 24 Hours debut in 2013

In June 2013, MacNeil debuted at 24 hours of Le Mans. He joined French team Larbre Competition to drive the #70 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R along with Philippe Dumas and Manuel Rodrigues. They finished 11th in the GTE Am class.

MacNeil returned to Le Mans in 2014, sharing the Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 RSR with Jeroen Bleekemolen. They were fifth in the GTE Pro class.

Cooper MacNeil (right) on 2015 Daytona 24h podium

GTD class podium at 2015 Daytona 24 Hours

In 2014, after a merger of Rolex Sports Car Series and American Le Mans Series, MacNeil's main competition was the IMSA United SportsCar Championship. He continued to drive the #22 Porsche for Alex Job Racing, sharing a car with Leh Keen. In eleven races their best result was second place at Road America. They finished a season third in the GTD class standings.

In 2015, MacNeil and Keen continued to share the #22 Porsche. The second place at Daytona was their best result, they finished seventh in the points at the end of the season. The season 2016 was MacNeil's last season with AJR Porsche. Not scoring wins or podiums, he finished 12th in the points.

MacNeil (in the middle) at 2017 Le Mans podium

2017 - racing with Mercedes, Le Mans podium with Ferrari

For the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, MacNeil joined Riley Motorsports/WeatherTech Racing to drive the #50 Mercedes-AMG GT3 together with Gunnar Jeannette. They were GTD class winners at Long Beach. From the ninth round at Virginia, they switched to Porsche 911 GT3 R.

In June 2017, MacNeil had a one-off appearance in Europe, driving the #62 Ferrari 488 GTE for WeatherTech Racing/Scuderia Corsa at 24 Hours of Le Mans. He, Bill Sweedler and Townsend Bell finished third in the GTE Am class, behind two other Ferrari crews.

In 2018, Cooper returned to a cockpit of a Ferrari in the IMSA Championship, driving for Scuderia Corsa. The highlight of the season was a victory at Petit Le Mans, together with Daniel Serra and Gunnar Jeannette. MacNeil finished fourth the final standings of IMSA GTD class.

Photos: Cooper MacNeil FB, weathertechracing.com,