Charlie Luck has more than a racing bug; 40 years ago, he entered the professional racing scene, climbing as high as the NASCAR Busch circuit in the 1980s. While Luck later removed himself from the sport to focus on family and work, he rejoined the community in 2017 and began the second act of his illustrious career.
Luck competes with SRO Motorsports America in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS. Wright Motorsports, 2022 Crew of the Year, prepares the No. 45 Porsche 911 GT3 R (911.2) for him and co-driver Jan Heylen. Together, the entry is known for being highly competitive.
Luck’s background makes sense of the success behind the wheel of a very nuanced Porsche race car. He has driven and seen accomplishment in nearly everything you can drive.
“I got a go-kart for Christmas when I was 10 and sold Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for .25 cents profit per box to buy my first motorcycle,” Luck said. “I started racing motocross when I was 12 and did that until I was 17, and then I started on a local short track NASCAR racing program and did that through college and then raced on what was then the NASCAR Busch circuit from 1983 to the end of 1986, which was about 100 races.
“I stopped racing to focus on my business, being married and my family. After all three of our kids were out on their own, I wanted to reengage with racing. It has always been my passion. In 2017, I started my first year in the Porsche Cup program and did that for three years before doing two years in SRO GT World Challenge.”
With all Luck has seen and done in the world of motorsport, he has two major highlights of recent to keep him motivated, and both revolve around his race team. The multi-race winner focused on relationships.
“The first one is that love building relationships and friendships with the Wright Motorsports organization,” Wright said. “John Wright, Bob Vigilone and the entire crew have been so much fun and enjoyable to work with. Secondly, my driver coach has married my daughter. Seeing the love between them has been what a dad wants for his daughter.”
Luck has all the right people in his corner as the 2023 season opener for Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS at Sonoma Raceway. His team and co-driver support are coupled with Porsche Motorsport North America. Wright Motorsports itself has a long relationship with Porsche. Luck was warmly welcomed into the arms of the manufacturer upon joining the Wright team.
“What I love about the Porsche brand is the durability, quality, and deep customer support,” Luck said. “I believe that their brand is built around professionalism and innovation and has a classiness about it that speaks to me.”
As he turns his focus to all that may lie ahead in 2023, Luck looks to a more personal challenge to set his overall goal for the season.
“My greatest challenge with SRO and my goal for 2023 are the same,” Luck said. “In life, you have to focus on the things you can control, so I think about racing this way. What can I do to optimize my performance and not get hijacked by the things I cannot control? All of these things speak to testing, nutrition, physical fitness, mental focus, and doing everything possible to perform at the highest level.”
Charlie Luck has nominated George Kurtz in the Popcorn! Driver Edition series. Both drivers will take on the SRO America staple Sonoma Raceway Mach 30 through April 2. Tickets are still available. To watch all the race action follow GT World on YouTube.