Turner Motorsport completed a remarkable three-year championship run in the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS season, securing its maiden Pro class title after consecutive Pro-Am triumphs in 2024 and 2025. Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley claimed their third successive championship together following a dramatic Indianapolis 8 Hour finale, where the #29 BMW M4 GT3 EVO overcame a seven-point deficit to secure the Pro class victory.
The achievement marked a significant milestone for the American outfit, which entered 2026 facing considerably stronger competition following its promotion to the Pro category. Despite mechanical setbacks, missed opportunities and an increasingly competitive championship battle, Turner Motorsport remained in contention throughout the season.
However, the team saved one of its strongest performances for the finale, combining an impressive qualifying display with strategic execution and decisive overtakes to complete another championship-winning campaign.
Turner Motorsport faces new challenge after consecutive Pro-Am titles
Turner Motorsport entered the 2026 season with considerable momentum after Rothberg and Foley secured back-to-back Pro-Am championships. Their established partnership had already delivered multiple victories and podium finishes, providing a strong foundation as they prepared to compete against more experienced professional driver combinations.
However, the transition to Pro introduced additional challenges. The team began its campaign with fourth place at Sonoma Raceway before improving to second at the Circuit of The Americas, demonstrating encouraging pace without immediately securing victory.
The breakthrough eventually arrived at Sebring International Raceway, where a mechanical failure for a rival allowed Turner to inherit the Pro class lead. Although Rothberg and Foley secured their first victory of the season, the circumstances left them determined to deliver a more convincing triumph through their own performance.
Unfortunately, the following round at Road Atlanta brought further disappointment. Despite remaining competitive, a mechanical problem disrupted Turner’s race and restricted the team to another fourth-place finish.
Road America victory restores championship momentum
Turner Motorsport responded strongly at Road America, producing one of its most convincing performances of the season. Rothberg and Foley combined to secure an important overall victory, providing renewed momentum following their difficulties at Road Atlanta.
The three-hour contest featured multiple caution periods and competing pit strategies, requiring the team to remain patient while its rivals challenged for position. However, Foley capitalised on the closing stages to move ahead and secure the victory, demonstrating the pace that Turner had sought throughout its first Pro campaign.
The result also carried considerable emotional significance. Turner added the name of Cedric Sbirrazzuoli, Rothberg’s first racing coach, to the BMW following his death from cancer.
Sbirrazzuoli had played an important role in Rothberg’s early development, making the opportunity to honour him in victory lane particularly meaningful. Consequently, the triumph represented more than an important championship result, providing a personal moment during an otherwise challenging season.
Barber setback leaves Turner facing difficult Indianapolis finale
Despite its Road America success, Turner Motorsport struggled to maintain that momentum during the penultimate round at Barber Motorsports Park. Rothberg and Foley could not match their previous race-winning performance and eventually finished fourth, surrendering valuable points to their championship rivals.
The result left Turner seven points behind the championship leaders and just one point adrift of second place heading into the Indianapolis 8 Hour. However, the double-points finale offered a final opportunity to overturn the deficit and complete a third consecutive championship-winning season.
To strengthen its challenge, Turner recruited BMW factory driver Connor De Phillippi alongside Rothberg and Foley. The American brought extensive endurance racing experience, including his involvement in the winning line-up at the inaugural Indianapolis 8 Hour in 2020.
The combination gave Turner three experienced drivers capable of challenging throughout the eight-hour contest. Nevertheless, the team still needed an exceptional performance against AF Corse USA and JMF Motorsports, with the championship remaining closely contested entering the final weekend.
Foley secures Indianapolis pole as Turner begins championship fightback
Turner Motorsport immediately demonstrated its intentions during qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Rothberg, De Phillippi and Foley combining to produce the fastest average time across the three qualifying sessions.
The performance advanced the #29 BMW into the Superpole shootout, where Foley delivered another impressive lap. The American recorded a 1:22.805, beating GMG Racing’s Ayhancan Güven by just 0.002s to claim overall pole position for the eight-hour finale.
The result provided Turner with an ideal starting point as it attempted to overturn its championship deficit. However, the team understood that qualifying success alone would not guarantee the title, particularly with several experienced rivals competing for the Pro class victory.
Rothberg subsequently took the start from pole, leading the field towards the green flag. Although other Pro competitors challenged for position during the opening stages, Turner remained within striking distance of the leaders while preparing its strategy for the second half of the race.
De Phillippi helps Turner close the gap through strategic execution
Rothberg completed his required driving time before handing the BMW to his professional teammates, leaving De Phillippi and Foley to pursue the leading Pro competitors. Although Turner had dropped to third in class, the team retained confidence in its pace and race strategy.
De Phillippi played an important role in the recovery, navigating traffic while steadily reducing the deficit to the leading AF Corse USA Ferrari. His performance during a double stint proved particularly valuable as Turner attempted to recover track position before the decisive closing stages.
The team subsequently committed to an undercut strategy, bringing its BMW into the pits earlier than its principal rival to exploit the advantage of fresher tyres. Meanwhile, AF Corse adopted a longer-running approach, creating an increasingly intense strategic battle between the two outfits.
As the race progressed, the competing strategies repeatedly brought Foley and Frederik Schandorff close together on track. Consequently, the Pro championship remained unresolved as the drivers entered the final hours, with Turner still needing to overcome the Ferrari to secure the title.
Foley delivers decisive overtakes in Indianapolis title showdown
The championship battle intensified during the closing stages as Foley pursued Schandorff for the Pro class lead. With approximately one hour and 22 minutes remaining, the American capitalised when Schandorff ran wide at Turn 1, moving his BMW ahead of the Ferrari.
However, the battle continued into the final round of pit stops, with Turner bringing Foley into the pits before AF Corse responded one lap later. Schandorff emerged ahead following the stops, briefly restoring the Ferrari team’s advantage.
Nevertheless, Foley had already brought his tyres up to temperature and quickly closed the gap. The BMW driver subsequently reclaimed the Pro lead, putting Turner in the position it needed to complete its championship comeback.
From there, Foley controlled the remaining laps and maintained his advantage until the chequered flag. The #29 BMW finished third overall and first in Pro, securing the class victory and the 2026 GTWC America Pro championship.
The triumph completed an extraordinary recovery for Turner, which entered Indianapolis seven points away from the championship lead.
Turner celebrates third consecutive GTWC America championship
For team owner Will Turner, the Indianapolis victory reflected the collective determination that had carried the outfit through a challenging season. The team entered the finale knowing it needed to outperform its championship rivals, but that pressure did not prevent it from delivering one of its strongest performances.
“Coming into this, the odds were a little against us being behind in points, so in a way, the pressure was off,” Turner said. “We all put our heads down and went for it. Winning a third championship in a row is surreal!”
The result also marked the organisation’s 13th championship, further strengthening its record in American GT racing. Moreover, the Indianapolis triumph demonstrated the importance of the team’s established working relationships, particularly as its engineers, strategists and drivers navigated the demanding final stages.
Although Turner Motorsport had previously secured consecutive Pro-Am crowns, its latest title carried additional significance following the move into Pro competition. The team had successfully translated its previous success into another category despite facing increasingly experienced opposition.
Foley praises team’s collective effort after title triumph
Foley also expressed his satisfaction with the achievement, highlighting the effort required to maintain Turner’s championship-winning momentum across three consecutive seasons.
The American played a decisive role in the Indianapolis victory, securing pole position before completing the overtakes that ultimately determined the Pro class result. However, he emphasised that the championship reflected the contributions of the entire Turner Motorsport operation rather than any individual performance.
“To cap off the championship with three in a row for us in SRO and our first in the Pro class is incredible,” Foley added. “I can’t thank all the guys and girls at Turner enough. We’ll try to keep the run going. Back-to-back-to-back SRO America champions. Such a privilege to work with this amazing group of people.”
The achievement continued a successful partnership with Rothberg, who has shared all three championship victories with Foley. Their consistency throughout the campaign proved particularly important, allowing Turner to remain in contention despite its difficulties at several rounds.
Rothberg reflects on personal development during Pro campaign
For Rothberg, the 2026 championship represented another significant milestone in his development as a GT racing driver. Although he entered the campaign with two previous titles, competing in the Pro category required him to adapt to stronger opposition and continually improve his performance.
The American acknowledged the difficulties that accompanied the transition but expressed considerable satisfaction with the progress he made throughout the season.
“I’m insanely happy to be coming out of the 2026 season victorious,” Rothberg echoed. “After moving up to the Pro class, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was racing against a lot of really good drivers, and I definitely had to up my game, which I’ve slowly been doing. I definitely still have a lot to learn, but to be standing here as 2026 champions is an amazing feeling. It’s even better knowing that this is our third time doing it, which means a ton.”
His reflections highlighted the importance of continued development, even after securing multiple championships. Furthermore, the transition into Pro competition demonstrated how Rothberg and Turner Motorsport could adapt their established partnership to increasingly demanding challenges.
Rothberg honours late mentor Cedric Sbirrazzuoli
Beyond the championship celebrations, Rothberg also reflected on the emotional significance of completing another successful season following the loss of Cedric Sbirrazzuoli.
The experienced GT racing driver served as Rothberg’s first coach and helped guide him during the early stages of his motorsport career. Following Sbirrazzuoli’s death, Turner Motorsport honoured his memory by displaying his name on the #29 BMW, beginning with the team’s victory at Road America.
The tribute subsequently accompanied the team throughout its championship celebrations, giving Rothberg another opportunity to honour someone who had played an important role in his development.
“It also means a little bit more because this past season, I lost my first ever coach, Cedric Sbirrazzuoli, and we put his name on the car, and to get him into victory lane one more time and have him on a championship car one more time just means everything,” Rothberg expressed.
The tribute gave both the Road America victory and the Indianapolis championship triumph additional significance beyond their competitive importance.
Turner Motorsport establishes new benchmark after successful 2026 campaign
Turner Motorsport’s third consecutive GTWC America championship represents an important achievement following its transition from Pro-Am to Pro competition. Despite encountering mechanical difficulties, inconsistent results and strong competition throughout the year, the team maintained its title challenge before delivering a decisive performance at Indianapolis.
The partnership between Rothberg and Foley has now produced three consecutive championships across two categories, while De Phillippi’s contribution during the Indianapolis finale played an important role in securing the latest success. Furthermore, the team’s strategic execution demonstrated its ability to compete against established Pro operations under significant pressure.
The season also produced several defining moments, including Turner’s breakthrough Pro victory at Sebring, its emotional Road America triumph and Foley’s decisive overtakes during the Indianapolis finale.
Having secured another championship and strengthened its reputation within American GT racing, Turner Motorsport concludes 2026 with a third consecutive title and a successful first season competing for the Pro crown. The achievement provides a strong foundation as the organisation looks towards its next challenge.
