The Heart of Racing prepared to battle at VIR
Alton, VA. (July 18, 2025) - The Heart of Racing SRO America crew is back in action after a eight week hiatus since the last GT World Challenge America and Pirelli GT4 America outing at Sebring International Raceway in May. This weekend the team will head to VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia for the fourth round of both GTWCA and GT4 America championships.
Gray Newell and Darren Turner will rejoin forces in the No. 24 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for GT World Challenge America. The duo’s best finish of the season so far is a fourth place finish at Circuit of the Americas in April.
Newell made his first start at VIR in 2021 and currently has a best finish of second at the track with Team Principal, Ian James by his side in Pirelli GT4 America’s 2022 season. Last season Newell finished fourth in both GT America races. This weekend will mark Turner’s first race start at VIR, though he does have laps around the track in an Aston Martin Vantage.
“Sebring already feels like a distant memory, so I’m really excited to be back racing this weekend,” said Turner. “It’ll be my first time competing at VIR, although I did get a chance to test a Vantage GT3 here a couple of years ago. What an incredible track – It’s got everything: fast, flowing sections and a great mix of technical corners. Can’t wait to hit the track and get to work.”
Teaming up in the No. 26 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for Pirelli GT4 America will be Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier. The pair most recently secured a second place finish in their Spa-Francorchamps debut competing in the 25 Hours of Spa Fun Cup race. “The Hannahs” have a high finish of third place on the season at Circuit of the Americas.
Grisham and Greenemeier both have experience on the Virginia circuit. Last year VIR marked the ladies’ first race in the Silver category where they finished sixth in the first race.
“VIR is this weekend and I’m ready to be back after the summer break,” said Grisham. “There’s a chance of rain this weekend which could make things interesting for Hannah and I. The season is almost halfway over so we will be looking to capitalize on obtaining as many points as possible for the championship. I’m looking forward to hitting the track for practice Thursday and being back with the whole team.”
“I’m ready to get back to one of my favorite tracks in GT4 this weekend at VIR,” said Greenemeier. “I love all the elevation change and the exciting racing that happens there. It looks like rain might have followed us back from Spa, but it always makes it more interesting. I know the team is ready for anything!”
GT World Challenge America will be the Heart of Racing’s first race of the weekend, kicking off at 3:15pm ET on Saturday. Following the GTWCA race will be the first GT4 America race on Saturday at 5:00pm ET. On Sunday, GT4 America will start the day for the team at 11:25am ET followed by GTWCA at 2:45pm ET. All races will be live streamed on GT World’s YouTube Channel.
