Shift Up Now Athletes Sarah Montgomery, Charlotte Traynor, Brenna Schubert, Hannah Grisham, Michele Abbate, and Alana Carter continued to build momentum and depth competing for AE Victory Racing (AEVR) at Road America this weekend, tackling one of North America’s fastest and most demanding circuits with resilience, adaptability, and a clear commitment to driver development across both entries in the World Racing League (WRL).
Known for its long straights, high-speed corners, and unforgiving margins, Road America presented an extra challenge to earlier rounds. From the outset, the focus was on preparation and precision. Thursday’s test sessions unfolded under crisp, sunny conditions, giving drivers valuable time to learn the nuances of the four-mile circuit. Development drivers concentrated on building confidence and familiarity with both car and track, while teammates and coaches, Sarah Montgomery and Hannah Grisham provided guidance on key sections like the Carousel, the Kink, and Turn 14—corners where commitment is critical, but mistakes carry heavy consequences.
Friday brought shifting conditions, with early morning clouds and light moisture giving way to a drying track. Leveraging the advantage of a two-car program, AE Victory Racing efficiently evaluated setup variations across both entries. After sampling the No. 120 configuration, Montgomery elected to transfer that setup philosophy to the No. 119, accelerating the team’s ability to find a competitive baseline without sacrificing valuable track time. The remainder of the day was spent prioritizing driver confidence and seat time.
Qualifying showcased strategic decision-making from both crews. In a tightly contested field, the No. 120 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 of Grisham, Michele Abbate, and Alana Carter secured a top-10 starting position, while the No. 119 entry of Montgomery, Traynor, and Brenna Schubert used the session to execute a full-speed tire change and make late adjustments before improving lap times in the closing minutes.
Saturday’s endurance contest saw both cars navigate a dynamic and often interrupted race. Early progress was promising, with the No. 119 climbing through the field and the No. 120 establishing itself firmly in podium contention for most of the race.
Grisham delivered a strong opening stint to move into the top three, while Montgomery in the 119 managed traffic effectively to advance position before handing the car over early on due to a medical setback. A rare occurrence for one of the most resilient drivers in the paddock but an opportunity for development drivers Schubert and Traynor to get valuable experience with long stints in endurance racing.
As the race unfolded, strategy became defining themes. A series of full-course cautions and pit cycles reshuffled the order. The No. 119 faced a setback following on-track contact that resulted in a penalty, but the team responded with composure, maintaining focus on clean stints and consistent lap times. Notably, development driver Brenna Schubert demonstrated significant progression, recording a 2:24.0 lap—an impressive benchmark that underscored her growing confidence in high-speed conditions.
The No. 120 remained a consistent front-runner throughout much of the race, with strong driving from all three drivers keeping the car in contention through traffic, heat, and evolving track conditions. Late-race fuel strategy and close battles in the final hour highlighted the competitiveness of the field, as the 120 finished in the top five and both AE Victory Racing entries finished in the top 10 and in the points.
Sunday’s race presented a new set of challenges, beginning with overnight repairs and early morning adjustments to both cars. The collaborative spirit of the paddock was on full display, as fellow competitors within the WRL community provided and borrowed parts to ensure many cars remained race-ready—reflecting a shared commitment to competition on track rather than in the garage.
From the green flag, both entries settled into a rhythm despite multiple interruptions, including full-course cautions and a red flag for extensive track cleanup. The No. 120 surged to the front during a mid-race stint, with Abbate taking the lead before pit strategy cycled the car back into the top ten. However, a post-incident penalty assessed after race control review dropped the car down the order, requiring another determined recovery drive.
Meanwhile, the No. 119 continued its focus on development and consistency. Traynor delivered her fastest lap of the weekend with a 2:23.4, while the driver rotation maintained steady pace despite losing a lap during a caution sequence. Both cars executed clean pit stops and maintained reliability through the closing stages of the race.
As the final hours ticked down, additional incidents around the circuit brought out further cautions, ultimately leading to a safety car finish. Both AE Victory Racing entries crossed the line having weathered one of the most demanding weekends of the season, with top-10 finishes reflecting both pace and perseverance.
Team owner Erin Vogel reflected on the weekend’s significance beyond the final results: “Road America is a track that demands respect—it exposes everything, from driver confidence to team execution. What I’m most proud of is how this group responded to every challenge. We had penalties, changing conditions, and nonstop adjustments, but no one lost focus. This weekend was about
growth—drivers pushing themselves in high-speed environments, engineers adapting quickly, and the entire team continuing to gel as a unit. That’s how we build something sustainable, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
With another demanding round complete, AE Victory Racing leaves Road America with strengthened driver confidence, valuable data, and continued momentum as the team pushes forward in the 2026 World Racing League season—grounded in its mission to develop talent, foster collaboration, and compete at the highest level.
