One of the most versatile drivers in American motor-sports, Memo Gidley co-drove with fellow Californians Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty in the No. 99 for the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona. Gidley has raced in nearly every top-tier road racing division in the U.S., including several seasons in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. He co-drove with Michael McDowell to the Daytona Prototype victory in 2005 in Mexico City.

In addition to his GRAND-AM Daytona Prototype and GT experience, Gidley is also a veteran Indy Car driver, having raced for such notable teams as Walker Racing, Players-Forsythe Racing and Target Chip Ganassi Racing, among others. In his Indy Car career, Gidley has three career podium finishes, several top-five and top-10 finishes, and a total of 230 laps led.

Like Gurney and Fogarty, Gidley raced in the Toyota Atlantic Championship where he amassed five career victories. Prior to that, his first four-wheel racing experience came in race- and championship-winning efforts in go-karts before stepping up to cars in USAC Russell Championship and U.S. Formula Ford 2000 competition in the first half of the 1990s.

Literally born into adventure, Gidley spent his early years on a sailboat with his family on the Pacific Ocean. His first racing experience came in BMX bicycles, which then led to motorcycles and multiple 125 and 250cc motocross championships. Gidley is a current and championship-winning competitor in the DJSA Outlaw Jet Ski series, in addition to continuing to race in top-level go-kart categories.

Although born in La Paz, Mexico, Gidley and his family eventually moved to San Rafael, California, and he now calls Novato, California, home. Gidley takes pride in his heritage and his 2005 victory with McDowell made him the first-ever Mexican-born driver to win a professional race in Mexico.

Career Snapshot

• 2005 Daytona Prototype victory with Michael McDowell in Mexico City
• Regular GRAND-AM competitor since 2005
• Three Indy Car podium finishes, including two second-place results
• Won 1992 USAC Russell Championship Series title as a rookie
• 1995 U.S. Formula Ford 2000 Oval Champion and Rookie of the Year
• 1995 Team USA Scholarship Winner
• Active current competitor in DJSA Outlaw Jet Ski and top-level go-kart competition