Patrick Gallagher is a professional sports car driver from Thornville, Ohio, whose career in motorsports began as soon as he entered the world. Born into a racing family, with his father competing in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, Gallagher was immersed in the sport from an early age and began racing go-karts at just six years old.
Inspired by his father as well as drivers like Mason Workman and Jeff Gordon, Gallagher quickly developed a passion for racing and steadily climbed the ranks. He progressed from karting into SCCA Club Racing, where he captured two National Championships in 2010 and 2012, establishing himself as a formidable competitor at the grassroots level.
“Growing up in Ohio and watching my dad race SCCA in Mid-Ohio for my entire childhood, it's super special to be back there with IMSA,” Gallagher said. “I’ll have a lot of friends and family up for the race so that’s always fun for them to come see what I do.”
Those successes led to an invitation to the prestigious Mazda Shootout, which Gallagher won, earning a full-season ride in the Mazda MX-5 Cup. He went on to win the MX-5 Cup Championship, a milestone that propelled him into professional sports car racing in IMSA.
Gallagher continued to build his resume in IMSA competition, competing in the Michelin Pilot Challenge before advancing to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class. He later joined Turner Motorsport, where he has spent several seasons competing at a high level in one of North America’s premier sports car series.
Beyond his success on track, Gallagher has been dedicated to driver development and instruction. He began instructing at The Mid-Ohio School in 2013 after getting involved through Todd Snyder and Tommy Byrne. Among the programs he teaches, he finds the Teen Defensive Driving Program especially rewarding, as it provides young drivers with skills that can have a lasting, life-saving impact.
Returning to Mid-Ohio remains especially meaningful for Gallagher. Having grown up in Ohio watching his father compete there throughout his childhood, the track holds deep personal significance. Now having competed there in IMSA, it represents a full-circle moment, made even more special with friends and family often in attendance.