ROCK HILL, S.C. – CORE Autosport will end its participation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s DPi division at the conclusion of the season.

The news comes as Jon Bennett, the team’s owner and co-driver of the CORE Autosport Nissan DPi entry shared with Colin Braun, announced he is stepping down from his driving responsibilities at the end of the year.

“The 2019 Petit Le Mans will be my last race in a DPi,” Bennett said. “In fact, I have no racing plans of any kind in the near future. But, for those who know the power of being passionate, I will leave the door slightly ajar.

“The obvious question is why? The time has simply come for me. I have lived the dream of so many who are passionate about motorsport and it’s time to reflect and enjoy racing, once again, from outside the race car.”

CORE graduated from GT competition to the top prototype class in 2018, earning two victories at Road America and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Bennett and Braun ended the 2018 season ranked second in the division standings behind Action Express Racing’s Eric Curran and Felipe Nasr.

Despite the team’s departure from IMSA’s top class, Bennett indicated CORE will remain active in IMSA by fielding Porsche’s GT Le Mans program.

“I look forward to completing the 2019 season and returning next year as CORE Autosport’s team owner in pursuit of another IMSA GTLM Championship for our incredible partner, Porsche Motorsport,” Bennett said.