Performance Tech Motorsports Backbone: Gwenn O’Neill Spotlight

Behind every team's success is a driving force that holds the group together and propels them forward; Performance Tech Motorsports’ comes in the form of Gwenn O’Neill, Logistics Manage and Owner.

O’Neill has served as an irreplaceable piece of the Performance Tech Motorsports team for over two decades. She orchestrates everything from travel and client services to pit stop procedures and at-track managerial matters. O’Neill runs a tight ship for both her drivers and crew members while maintaining a family atmosphere, all of which husband and Team Principal Brent O’Neill credits as a key factor for the team's prosperity.

“When I talk to my crew and drivers about the team dynamic Gwenn is always the first thing they comment on,” O’Neill said. “No matter how long the drivers have been with the team they all note how Gwenn creates a family environment they can’t find elsewhere. She makes it fun and welcoming while still ensuring everyone is doing what they need to. There is no doubt that I couldn’t do this without her.”

The family operated team has a long-standing history of opening its arms and doors to any and everyone in the paddock. O’Neill forged this standard from the moment she joined the team, extending her motherly demeanor far beyond her own daughter. At any given time on a race weekend, you’ll find a plethora of drivers and crew members stopping by the Performance Tech paddock to visit O’Neill and her race family.

James French, Driver of the No. 19 NorCan Electric LMP3, is the most veteran driver on the team and credits O’Neill for shaping him into the professional he is today.

“Gwenn truly defines what it means to be a motherly figure for our race team,” French said. “She shows her warmth and kindness in so ways. From fresh blankets for when the nerves prevent a good night's sleep and a nap is needed, to making sure nobody is hungry, we are well nourished, and feeling good. And if for some reason we aren't feeling well, she quickly becomes an over the counter pharmacist and provides whatever is needed from her magic medicine box.

“But don't be fooled, Gwenn isn't just a softy. When it comes to racing matters the momma bear instincts come out and she is both fierce and diligent. She's a master at controlling situations on track, a brilliant strategist, and always a pleasant, calming voice to hear over the radio. I'm truly blessed to have learned from Gwenn over the years what it means to be a strong leader despite any adversity and experience her loving ways that make the Performance Tech team a family.”

While O’Neill’s ability to create this community at the track pulls her team together as a family unit, her no-nonsense attitude is what makes Performance Tech a well-organized machine. Her responsibilities away from the track such as scheduling, accounting, logistics and race weekend review are not lost on her drivers. Brad and Dean Baker, the newest additions to the team, are already well aware that O’Neill’s role goes far beyond what meets the eye.

“Dean and I have not been a part of the team for long, but it is clear to see Gwenn is the key to the accomplishments Performance Tech enjoys,” Brad Baker, Driver of the No. 19 Kerr Industries LMP3 said. “While Brent pushes the team forward it is Gwenn who keeps it organized and on budget. She can call a mean race too. Nothing escapes her attention which is key because success is in the details. Having her in the pit box is worth a few tenths at least.”

O’Neill often blends families into her own. In addition to the Baker brothers, father and son duo Kyle Masson, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 and endurance driver Dr. Robert Masson were warmly welcomed into the Performance Tech clan four years ago. Kyle Masson never ceases to be amazed by O’Neill’s ability to foresee her driver's needs and seamlessly provide.

“From keeping the crew and team organized, to managing myself and other drivers, as well as putting together all the hospitality for events- these are some of the difficult roles that Gwenn makes seem easy,” Masson said. “On a race to race basis, she acts as our team’s live strategist and race control coordinator consistently filling one of the biggest roles on the team.”

“Everyone shows up to the track and everything is all taken care of and made relatively easy for us. There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into every event and Gwenn makes it happen. She is the matriarch of our close-knit Performance Tech family that we all are so lucky and happy to be a part of.”

One of O’Neill’s loftier tasks over the course of a race weekend is leading the team from atop the pit box. Through tedious calculations, she manages each driver's mandatory drive time in both IMSA Prototype Challenge and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. Her profound understanding of the IMSA rule books allows her to keep the team within regulations at all times to avoid penalties. Performance Tech’s ability to run clean races is what has kept the team in championship contention throughout the years of competition.

Cameron Cassels, driver of the No. 75 NorCan Electric LMP3 reflects on her ability to happily undertake endless amounts of responsibility.

“Gwenn is an incredibly important part of the team,” Cassels said. “The list of things Gwenn does to keep the team moving at both the shop and the track is immeasurable. She keeps track of drive time during the race within a second, manages the mayhem of the race from the pit box and herds the drivers to where they need to be. Trust me, keeping drivers in one spot is no easy job. She manages to do all of this and more with a smile. It’s losing track of the little details that can really hurt a team during a race weekend, but Gwenn is always one step ahead.”

Next up for O’Neill and Performance Tech Motorsports is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International Raceway. The team kicks off Round Three of the Michelin Endurance Cup on June 28. The six-hour race around the historic 3.4-mile track takes place Sunday, June 30. For a more detailed schedule visit https://sportscarchampionship.imsa.com/events/2019-sahlens-six-hours-glen.

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Dr. Robert Masson, Performance Tech Motorsports Driver

“When I first brought Kyle to Performance Tech he was 17 years old and brand new to prototype racing,” Dr. Masson said. “Gwenn, the matriarch and foundation of Performance Tech, gave us that sense of family, of security and of home that made the transition to professional racing feel comfortable. Gwenn is the backbone in this little engine called Performance Tech Motorsports. Performance Tech will always be our racing family.”

Tristan Nunez, Former Performance Tech Motorsports Driver

“Gwenn is a superstar,” Nunez said. “When I was with Performance Tech she had a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. From managing everyone on the team and making sure they were staying on task, to making sure the drivers stayed on schedule, being on the pit stand counting laps and talking to race control. Brent is a very lucky team owner simply because he doesn’t have to hire 6 extra people to do the jobs the Gwenn does flawlessly. But aside from all the work she does, she has a huge heart. Even though I haven’t driven for Performance Tech for quite some time she still makes me feel like I’m part of the family.”

Ryan Booth, Former Performance Tech Motorsports Driver

“Gwenn O’Neill always puts others before herself,” Booth said. “Gwenn wore the hats of many different people during my time at Performance Tech. No matter what was needed at the time she was ready to take on any task.  She holds the team together like brick and mortar. Her positivity radiates throughout the pits and she could turn anyone’s bad day into a good one. Gwenn, thanks for everything you do!”

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Brent O’Neill, Performance Tech Motorsports Team Principal

“When I talk to my crew and drivers about the team dynamic Gwenn is always the first thing they comment on,” O’Neill said. “No matter how long the drivers have been with the team they all note how Gwenn creates a family environment they can’t find elsewhere. She makes it fun and welcoming while still ensuring everyone is doing what they need to. There is no doubt that I couldn’t do this without her.”

James French, Driver of the No. 75 NorCan Electric LMP3

“Gwenn truly defines what it means to be a motherly figure for our race team,” French said. “She shows her warmth and kindness in so ways. From fresh blankets for when the nerves prevent a good night's sleep and a nap is needed, to making sure nobody is hungry, we are well nourished, and feeling good. And if for some reason we aren't feeling well, she quickly becomes an over the counter pharmacist and provides whatever is needed from her magic medicine box.

“But don't be fooled, Gwenn isn't just a softy. When it comes to racing matters the momma bear instincts come out and she is both fierce and diligent. She's a master at controlling situations on track, a brilliant strategist, and always a pleasant, calming voice to hear over the radio. I'm truly blessed to have learned from Gwenn over the years what it means to be a strong leader despite any adversity and experience her loving ways that make the Performance Tech team a family.”

Brad Baker, Driver of the No. 19 Kerr Industries LMP3

“Dean and I have not been a part of the team for long, but it is clear to see Gwenn is the key to the accomplishments Performance Tech enjoys,” Baker said. “While Brent pushes the team forward it is Gwenn who keeps it organized and on budget. She can call a mean race too. Nothing escapes her attention which is key because success is in the details. Having her in the pit box is worth a few tenths at least.”

Kyle Masson, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2

“From keeping the crew and team organized, to managing myself and other drivers, as well as putting together all the hospitality for events- these are some of the difficult roles that Gwenn makes seem easy,” Masson said. “On a race to race basis, she acts as our team’s live strategist and race control coordinator consistently filling one of the biggest roles on the team.”

“Everyone shows up to the track and everything is all taken care of and made relatively easy for us. There is a lot of planning and preparation that goes into every event and Gwenn makes it happen. She is the matriarch of our close-knit Performance Tech family that we all are so lucky and happy to be a part of.”

Cameron Cassels, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2 and the No. 75 NorCan Electric LMP3

“Gwenn is an incredibly important part of the team,” Cassels said. “The list of things Gwenn does to keep the team moving at both the shop and the track is immeasurable. She keeps track of drive time during the race within a second, manages the mayhem of the race from the pit box and herds the drivers to where they need to be. Trust me, keeping drivers in one spot is no easy job. She manages to do all of this and more with a smile. It’s losing track of the little details that can really hurt a team during a race weekend, but Gwenn is always one step ahead.”