The countdown is on! In just 7 days, the SRO America paddock descends on VIRginia International Raceway to get back into the second half of the 2025 season. After a well-earned summer break, drivers and teams are recharged and ready to tackle one of the most technically demanding and visually stunning circuits in North America. With championship battles tightening and momentum swings looming, here are seven storylines you won’t want to miss as we head to VIR.
Random Vandals Racing on a Hot Streak
The dynamic duo of Connor De Phillippi and Kenton Koch have been the class of the Pro field in the opening half of the season. With four wins in six races, including a clean sweep at Sebring, the Random Vandals Racing pairing has surged to the top of the standings. The combination of their consistency and race pace makes them the team to beat. But with tight margins at the front and VIR’s history of unpredictable outcomes, the question lingers: can anyone derail their championship charge?
Pro Class Battle On the Rise
While Random Vandals leads the way, it’s far from a runaway. JMF Motorsports’ Michai Stephens and Mikael Grenier have been quietly stacking points, with two wins, a runner-up, and a pair of third-place finishes to their name, keeping them well within striking distance.
Hot on their heels is RS1, a team whose pace has steadily built throughout the season. While the elusive top step of the podium has remained just out of reach so far, consistent podium finishes have kept them firmly in contention. VIR could be the perfect setting for them to finally break through.
Pro-Am Prodigies
Turner Motorsport enters the weekend leading the Pro-Am class, eager to defend both their 2024 title and current championship lead. Last year, VIR wasn’t kind to the Turner crew as a weekend of mechanical setbacks and track incidents left them scrambling for points. But with a stronger package and more experience under their belt in 2025, they’ll be determined to rewrite that narrative.
Regular Racing’s Alternative Route Paying Off
In a category where tenths of a second can define a weekend, Regular Racing’s Philip Ellis and Jeff Burton have found success by taking a different approach. The team’s alternative Driver 1 and Driver 2 strategy has netted them two wins and two P2 finishes so far. This could be the perfect track for Regular Racing to notch another victory, just as they did here last year.
GMG Racing Aiming to Run It Back
Last year’s VIR weekend was a breakthrough moment for GMG Racing’s Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent, who scored their maiden win as a pairing in the championship. This season has been more of a rollercoaster, with mixed results and flashes of pace tempered by tough luck.
However, with the points standings in a constant state of flux, a strong performance this weekend could dramatically shake up the leaderboard. Keep an eye on this team, they know how to get it done at VIR.
McLaren Contenders on the Cusp
It’s been a season of near-misses for Todd Coleman and Aaron Telitz in the McLaren 720S GT3 EVO. Multiple times they’ve been on the verge of a podium finish, only for misfortunes to dash their hopes. The team’s pace is undeniable, and with a bit of luck, VIR could be the turning point. Could this be the weekend their persistence pays off?
AF Corse Back in the Fight
After missing the Sebring rounds due to scheduling conflicts, AF Corse returns to the grid at VIR, adding another layer of excitement to both the Pro-Am and Am categories. The team’s Pro-Am entry of Christian Hahn and Marcelo Hahn, and the Am class Ferrari 296 GT3 piloted by Jay Schreibman and Oswaldo Negri, are eager to get back into the mix.
All Eyes on VIR
VIRginia International Raceway is sure to be a can’t-miss event, featuring an open paddock atmosphere, autograph sessions across all series, fan zones and local vendors, and unparalleled access to the most impressive GT machinery in the world. For those who can’t make it trackside, watch all the action live on RACER TV, the GTWorld YouTube channel, and SRO Motorsports Twitch.
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