Joey Hand Bio
Joseph Alan Hand (born February 10, 1979) is an American professional racing driver who competes in sports car racing as a Ford factory driver. A versatile talent who has succeeded in open-wheel, sports car, and stock car disciplines, Hand built his reputation through endurance racing, claiming the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona with Chip Ganassi Racing, the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring GT class with BMW Team Rahal, and the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans LMGTE Pro class with Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA in the Ford GT.
He currently drives the No. 4 for BMW Team RBM and is one of the few Americans to have raced as a full-time factory driver in Germany’s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Alan Hand was born on February 10, 1979, in Sacramento, California. Growing up in Northern California gave him early access to a vibrant karting scene, and he began competing in kart racing at the age of twelve. His family background and Sacramento upbringing shaped a steady work ethic that would later define his long career in motorsports.
From karting, Hand progressed through junior open-wheel categories, sharpening the race craft that would become his trademark. His progression from local tracks to national series reflected a clear focus on reaching the upper levels of the sport.
Path to NASCAR
Hand’s primary path to NASCAR came later in his career, after he had already established himself as a champion in sports car racing. On October 5, 2021, Rick Ware Racing announced that Hand would make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, driving the No. 52 car. Hand started 36th and finished 27th in that first race.
In 2022, Hand drove in all six Cup Series road course events for Rick Ware Racing in the No. 15, with a best finish of 20th at Sonoma and a best starting spot of ninth at Road America. On June 12, 2024, it was announced that Hand would drive the No. 60 car for RFK Racing in the Chicago Street race. In that event, he won the second stage for his first career stage win in the NASCAR Cup Series, led seven laps, and nearly won the race before being passed by Alex Bowman, ultimately finishing fourth.
Joey Hand Career
Early Career (1998–2003)
Hand began his senior racing career in the Star Mazda Series in 1998, winning nine races in the series. He captured the Star Mazda rookie of the year award in 1998 and the series championship the following year in 1999. Those early results marked him as one of the top young open-wheel talents in the United States.
An injury sidelined Hand for most of the 2000 season, but he returned to advance into the Toyota Atlantic series in 2001. Over three seasons, he scored two wins in the series, posting a best championship finish of third in 2001.
Sports Car Breakthrough (2004–2010)
Beginning with the 2004 season, Hand moved into the Grand American Road Racing Association’s Rolex Sports Car Series, racing in both the Grand Touring and Daytona Prototype classes. He won five races in the GT category while driving BMWs, establishing himself as a reliable endurance racer. Hand also raced sporadically in the American Le Mans Series; in 2006, he survived a spectacular end-over-end crash at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and in 2009 he won the first pole position for a BMW in eight years in the ALMS at Road America.
In 2010, he continued to develop as a BMW-affiliated driver across the Rolex Series and ALMS, building the consistency that would set up his biggest career wins the following year.
Endurance Racing Success (2011–2016)
The 2011 season became a defining year for Hand. Driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, he shared the winning car with Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, and Graham Rahal at the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona, recovering from a pit-road penalty during his stint. That same year, he won the GT class at the 12 Hours of Sebring with BMW Motorsport, and later finished third in the GTE-Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a BMW M3. He also competed full-time in the Grand-Am Sports Car Challenge for Turner, finishing runner-up in the standings with co-driver Michael Marsal.
In 2012, Hand returned to BMW Team Rahal for the American Le Mans Series, winning the GT class at the 12 Hours of Sebring and taking three podiums in seven appearances. In 2013, he added a second-place class finish for BMW Rahal with the BMW Z4. As the United SportsCar Championship launched in 2014, Hand finished second in the GTLM class at Daytona and third at Sebring for BMW Rahal. In 2016, Hand joined the Ford factory program and reunited with teammate Dirk Müller, joined by Sébastien Bourdais for the endurance races. The trio won the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGTE Pro category in the Ford GT.
DTM Era (2012–2014)
On December 15, 2011, BMW announced Hand as one of its factory drivers for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, and he contested the full 2012 season while also running a limited ALMS campaign with BMW Team RLL. He was the first American to hold a full-season factory contract in DTM since the series began in 1984.
Across three DTM seasons, Hand’s best race result was fifth at Brands Hatch, achieved in 2013, when he also recorded his best championship finish of 12th.
BMW Team RBM Era (2024–Present)
Hand is currently listed with BMW Team RBM in the No. 4 entry, continuing his long association with the BMW motorsport family. His recent NASCAR Cup Series appearance with RFK Racing at the Chicago Street race in 2024 produced a stage win, seven laps led, and a near-victory, signaling that Hand remains a competitive force when given the right equipment.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hand is recognized for his smooth, consistent pace and his ability to manage tires and fuel over long stints, traits that have made him a favorite in endurance events. His technical feedback and calm demeanor under pressure have allowed him to form strong partnerships with engineers and co-drivers across multiple manufacturers.
Notable Races and Milestones
Signature moments include co-driving the winning Ganassi BMW at the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona, winning the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring GT class, and standing atop the LMGTE Pro podium at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Ford GT. His 2024 Chicago Street race stage win and near-victory added a memorable NASCAR Cup Series chapter to his résumé.
Joey Hand Career Wins
Joey Hand has built a versatile résumé that includes major endurance victories on three continents. His sports car triumphs with BMW and Ford, combined with his Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantic success, mark him as one of America’s most accomplished endurance and road-course racers of his generation.
IMSA and Rolex Sports Car Series Highlights
Hand won five Rolex Sports Car Series GT races driving BMWs and added the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona overall victory with Chip Ganassi Racing. His later IMSA results include a second-place GTLM finish at the 2014 24 Hours of Daytona and a third-place GTLM result at the 2014 12 Hours of Sebring with BMW Team Rahal.
Other Wins and Performances
Hand captured the 1999 Star Mazda Series championship with nine race wins, added two wins in the Toyota Atlantic series, and recorded a 2016 LMGTE Pro class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has also earned a 2011 Grand-Am Sports Car Challenge runner-up finish and a runner-up result in the 2011 Bathurst 1000 co-driver category with V8 Supercars team Dick Johnson Racing at the Gold Coast 600.
Joey Hand Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joey Hand was born and raised in Sacramento, California, where he began karting at age twelve. While his family did not have a major racing background, his Sacramento upbringing and early karting mentors helped channel his talent toward professional motorsports.
Personal Life
Hand and his wife, Natalie, have two children. The family has remained based in the United States while Joey has competed in endurance series across North America and Europe.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Joey Hand remains tied to the BMW factory ecosystem through his role with BMW Team RBM. While his 2024 NASCAR Cup Series appearance with RFK Racing at the Chicago Street race was a one-off road course event, it demonstrated that he can still compete for stage wins and race leads in top-tier stock car equipment.
Hand’s primary focus in 2025 is expected to remain on sports car and endurance programs, where his decades of GT and prototype experience deliver the most value. With the BMW Team RBM partnership ongoing, he is positioned for further endurance racing commitments and potential guest appearances in NASCAR road course races.
Outlook for the year is steady rather than headline-driven, with Hand serving as a veteran presence inside the BMW driver lineup and continuing to be a sought-after road-course specialist whenever teams need a steady hand for a one-off start.
