The Heart of Racing takes five podium finishes during SRO America season opener

Sonoma, Calif. (7 April, 2024) - The Heart of Racing had a strong start to the 2024 SRO America season, taking a win, two second place finishes and two third place finishes in GT America powered by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America AM class, and Pirelli GT4 America ProAm at Sonoma Raceway.

The No. 26 Heart of Racing team had Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier team up for the first time as the duo combined for a victory in the Pirelli GT4 America AM category during Saturday’s first race. Greenemeier started from second where she maintained position before handing the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to Grisham who made a late race pass for the lead in turn nine. 

“Overall, a really good weekend to start off the season,” said Grisham.  “We came home with a win and a third place finish today, ultimately really strong points for us to go after the championship. I think the weekend went almost as good as it could have gone. Thank you to everyone on the Heart of Racing Team for the opportunity to be back again and I've really enjoyed being paired up with Hannah (Greenemeier). She's done a really amazing job and has gotten acquainted with this car very quickly. We’ll just try to carry that momentum into Sebring.”

Grisham started Sunday morning’s race from fourth in class making her way to sit third before Greenemeier took the wheel. Greenemeier was battling for second when a caution slowed the field for the remaining seven minutes of the race. 

“It was a great end to the weekend, with the third place finish,” said Greenemeier. “I just wish that caution had not come out at the end of the second race. I think we could have made our way to second, maybe even first. Hannah (Grisham) did a great job keeping up at the beginning and allowing me to be able to push as hard as I could for the last bit of the race. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the championship. Two podiums this weekend is the right way to kick it off.”

Roman De Angelis and Gray Newell teamed up in the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 in the Pirelli GT4 America ProAm category, scoring a second place and fourth place finish during the opening weekend. 

Newell was first in the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage on Saturday afternoon where he started from third in class. Newell passed the car to De Angelis in third. The Canadian driver laid down steady laps to make a battle for the lead, but unfortunately came up just short at the finish line. 

De Angelis started Sunday morning’s race from fifth in class, he was able to make his way up to third when he passed the Aston Martin Vantage to Newell. He was able to continue to battle for podium position all the way up to the checkered flag. 

“It was a good start to our GT4 campaign this year with Gray,” said De Angelis. “ The Heart of Racing did a great job all weekend. A second and a fourth, I think, is a really good way to start our season. The car is relatively unscathed, which is important as well. We are just trying to collect points and see if we can be there at the end of the championship. So great job to the team. Our sister card did a great job as well, two podiums, and looking forward to the next race.”

In addition to his Pirelli GT4 America driving duties, Newell also competed in GT America powered by AWS where he scored a second and third place finish to start the championship season. 

Newell started second for the first GT America powered by AWS race Saturday afternoon. The Washington-state native was able to maintain his position over the 40 minute race to cross the finish line in second.  

Newell had the third fastest lap time in race one securing a second row starting position for Sunday morning’s race. The No. 25 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 initially fell back to fourth at the start of the race, but Newell was able to pass for his third place position shortly after to secure his finishing position. 

The Heart of Racing Team will be back on track April 19-21 in Long Beach, California with its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team and SRO GT America powered by AWS. The Heart of Racing’s World Endurance Championship will also be on track the same weekend in Imola, Italy.