Gunnar Jeannette, No. 06 CORE Autosport Oreca FLM09. Photo credit: Rick Dole for Michelin North America

One of the American Le Mans Series’ most extroverted and interesting drivers, Gunnar Jeannette returns to this year’s Grand Prix of Long Beach as defending champion in the LMP Challenge class. He’s doing it with a new team, CORE Autosport, and a new co-driver, Ricardo Gonzalez.

“No pressure, right?” says Jeannette about the opportunity.

It was a big deal when Jeannette — the youngest driver in series history until this weekend — took the win last year because it was his first in ALMS competition.

Now with Jon Bennett’s new two-car operation, Jeannette seeks the repeat from pole position in the LMPC class. There are six cars entered in the class this weekend.