Sebring International Raceway begins honoring 75 of the event’s most successful drivers ahead of the historic 75th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20, 2027

SEBRING, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Racing legend Mario Andretti headlines the first group of drivers selected for Sebring International Raceway’s “Class of 75,” recognizing 75 of the most successful drivers in the history of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

The recognition comes ahead of the 75th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20, 2027.

A 10-person panel of sports car racing experts debated and voted on the 75 drivers. The selections have been divided into five groups of 15, with additional names scheduled to be announced monthly through January.

The first Twelve Hours of Sebring was held March 15, 1952. Since then, the endurance race has been canceled only once, in 1974 amid the global energy crisis.

First 15 Drivers Named to ‘Class of 75’

The inaugural group includes Bob Akin, Mario Andretti, Joao Barbosa, Geoff Brabham, Derek Daly, Phil Hill, Bruce Jennings, Sascha Maassen, John Morton, Jim Pace, Hans Stuck, Nick Tandy, Richard Thompson, Fermin Velez and Andy Wallace.

Together, the drivers represent generations of Sebring history, from the race’s formative years to the modern IMSA era.

Andretti’s Place in Sebring History

Andretti made six starts at Sebring, earning three overall victories and one additional class win.

His overall victories came in 1967, 1970 and 1972. His 1970 triumph remains one of the race’s most celebrated finishes.

Andretti started that race from the pole in Ferrari’s No. 19 entry but retired the car with gearbox problems. Ferrari later moved him into the No. 21 Ferrari 512S for the closing stages.

Andretti ultimately defeated Peter Revson by 23.8 seconds, which at the time represented the closest finish in Sebring history.

Champions Across Generations

The Class of 75 also includes Phil Hill, a three-time overall Sebring winner who competed 13 times between 1953 and 1966. Hill won overall in 1958, 1959 and 1961 and added three class victories.

Hans Stuck also earned three overall victories, beginning with BMW’s landmark 1975 win. He returned to Victory Lane with Porsche in 1986 and 1988 and added two class victories during his Sebring career.

Geoff Brabham won overall in 1989 and 1991 during Nissan’s GTP era, while Derek Daly recorded two victories in three Sebring starts.

Fermin Velez captured consecutive overall victories in 1995 and 1996 driving a Ferrari 333SP, while Andy Wallace won back-to-back overall titles in 1992 and 1993 in the Toyota Eagle Mk III.

Tandy Represents Sebring’s Modern Era

Among the modern-era selections is Nick Tandy, who has accumulated one overall victory, three class wins and five podium finishes in 12 Sebring starts.

After class victories with Porsche in 2018, 2019 and 2020, Tandy joined Porsche Penske Motorsport’s prototype program.

His long-awaited overall Sebring victory came in 2025, when he teamed with Felipe Nasr and Laurens Vanthoor in a Porsche 963. The trio defeated the sister Penske entry by just 2.2 seconds.

Privateers and Sebring Mainstays Recognized

The selections extend beyond overall winners.

Bruce Jennings made 18 Sebring appearances and became one of the event’s notable privateer competitors. His 1962 debut produced a class victory and third-place overall finish.

Richard Thompson, known as the “Flying Dentist,” competed in the inaugural 1952 race. Thompson reportedly drove his MG-TD from Washington to Sebring, finished eighth and then drove the car home. He ultimately made 14 Sebring starts and earned two class victories.

Sascha Maassen recorded five Sebring victories, including four consecutive class wins from 2001 through 2004 with Alex Job Racing.

The group also recognizes the achievements of Bob Akin, Joao Barbosa, John Morton and Jim Pace, each of whom earned overall Sebring victories during their careers.

Four More Groups Coming

Sebring will unveil the remaining 60 members of its Class of 75 in four installments.

The next 15 drivers will be announced Oct. 13, followed by additional groups on Nov. 10, Dec. 15 and Jan. 12.

The complete list will ultimately recognize 75 drivers representing the history of America’s oldest major endurance race.

75th Twelve Hours of Sebring Tickets

Tickets, hospitality packages, car corral parking and reserved RV locations are currently in a renewal period through Sept. 16.

General admission tickets and parking passes are scheduled to go on sale Oct. 1. Highlands County resident tickets will also become available Oct. 1 with proof of residency and must be purchased in person at the raceway ticket office.

Fans can find ticket information and join waiting lists for hospitality, car corrals and trackside RV parking through Sebring International Raceway.

The 75th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is scheduled for March 20, 2027.

Van Buren accounts for all four USF touchdowns as Joshua Porter’s 38-yard fourth-down catch completes a dramatic comeback at West Point.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida coach Brian Hartline put the game in his offense’s hands Saturday — and the gamble paid off.

USF erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and stunned Army 28-24 at Michie Stadium, capped by Michael Van Buren Jr.’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Porter on fourth-and-6 with 19 seconds remaining.

The dramatic road victory moved the Bulls to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in American Conference play, giving Hartline his first conference victory and first road win as USF’s head coach.

Van Buren Powers Fourth-Quarter Comeback

Trailing 24-14 with less than five minutes remaining, USF needed two touchdowns — and Van Buren delivered.

The quarterback led a 75-yard scoring drive and broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run, cutting Army’s lead to 24-21 with 3:13 remaining.

USF attempted an onside kick, but Army recovered. The Bulls’ defense responded by forcing the Black Knights to punt, giving Van Buren and the offense one final opportunity.

Starting at its own 19-yard line with 1:46 remaining, South Florida drove into Army territory and reached the Black Knights’ 38.

Then came Hartline’s defining decision.

FILE – USF head football coach Brian Hartline watches the action during the Bulls’ 2026 Spring Game at Corbett Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game marked the conclusion of Hartline’s first spring leading South Florida. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Hartline Rolls the Dice on Fourth Down

Facing fourth-and-6 from the Army 38, USF was within the outer limits of kicker Nico Gramatica’s range for a potential 55-yard game-tying field goal.

Hartline initially kept the offense on the field and used USF’s final timeout with 25 seconds remaining.

After the timeout, the Bulls still did not send out the field-goal unit.

Hartline went for the win.

Van Buren took the snap and found Porter streaking down the right sideline for a 38-yard touchdown, putting USF ahead 28-24 with 19 seconds remaining.

Army got one final possession, but the Black Knights’ attempt to keep the play alive ended with a fumble recovered by USF’s Herlin Perry Jr., sealing the comeback.

Van Buren Accounts for All Four USF Touchdowns

Van Buren finished 19-of-30 passing for 239 yards and two touchdowns while adding a team-high 45 rushing yards and two more scores on five carries.

He accounted for all four USF touchdowns and produced 284 yards of total offense without committing a turnover.

Porter emerged as the late-game target USF needed, including the decisive fourth-down touchdown reception.

Bulls Show a Different Way to Win

USF opened Hartline’s first season with a 19-9 victory over FIU, a game in which kicker Nico Gramatica connected on four field goals.

One week later, the Bulls showed they could win differently.

Army controlled possession for much of Saturday’s game and outrushed USF 219-130, but South Florida scored 14 unanswered points over the final 4:59 to turn a 24-14 deficit into a four-point victory.

The Bulls are now 2-0 for the second consecutive season, but this start carries added significance under a new coaching staff. Hartline already has his first road victory, his first American Conference win and an early signature moment as USF’s head coach.

When faced with the choice of attempting a long field goal to tie the game or trusting his offense to win it, Hartline chose the latter.

Van Buren and Porter rewarded that decision with the biggest play of USF’s young season.

Up Next

USF returns home to face Delaware State on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

______________________________________

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com