WRL: AE Victory Racing scores 1-2 sweep as Driver Development Program excels at Watkins Glen

AE Victory Racing strengthened its grip on the World Racing League GTO National Championship at Watkins Glen International, producing a dominant 1-2 finish in Saturday’s eight-hour race before adding another podium on Sunday, with the #120 car of Hannah Grisham, Michele Abbate and Alana Carter taking victory.

Photo credits: Alec Gamino

AE Victory Racing strengthened its grip on the World Racing League GTO National Championship at Watkins Glen International, producing a dominant 1-2 finish in Saturday’s eight-hour race before adding another podium on Sunday.

The team’s two Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2 entries combined for four top-five finishes across the weekend, with the #120 car of Hannah Grisham, Michele Abbate and Alana Carter taking victory and third place and the #119 driven by Sarah Montgomery, Charlotte Traynor and newcomer Flame Airikkala finishing second and fifth, while the event also provided an important opportunity for the team’s all-female driver development program to continue building experience at one of North America’s most demanding circuits.

The Watkins Glen weekend began with both AE Victory Racing Supras immediately showing competitive pace. Despite intermittent rain and high humidity during Thursday’s practice sessions, the two cars topped the timing charts, allowing the engineering team and drivers to work through setup options while building confidence with the cars ahead of the endurance races.

The event also marked an important milestone for Flame Airikkala, who made her US racing debut with AE Victory Racing after stepping in for 2026 Shootout winner Brenna Schubert, in a clashing committment in EuroNASCAR. Airikkala's opportunity came after progressing through the team's driver development pathway, and Watkins Glen represented her first race in the United States as she adapted simultaneously to a new car, a new circuit and the demands of long-distance racing after previously competing primarily in single seaters both in Europe and in Japan.

The two Supras initially qualified sixth and 10th for Saturday's race, but post-qualifying disqualifications for two cars ahead promoted the AE Victory Racing entries to fourth and sixth on the starting grid.

Hannah Grisham started the #120 Toyota, while Sarah Montgomery took the wheel of the #119 for the opening stint, setting the stage for an eight-hour race in which fuel strategy, Code 35 periods and efficient pit work would ultimately prove decisive.

Photo credits: Alec Gamino

Saturday's eight-hour race quickly developed into a strategic battle. The #119 was involved in early contact with another competitor, but Montgomery and the team were able to recover from the incident and settle into a consistent rhythm.

Both cars had to navigate several Code 35 periods throughout the race, with the crew managing fuel consumption and pit timing. As the race progressed, fuel strategy became increasingly important, particularly as much of the field had already made fuel stops while the two AE Victory Racing entries were able to remain on track longer.

The team's patience eventually paid off: when a late Code 35 period provided another opportunity to pit, both Supras were able to top off fuel and return to the track in strong positions for the closing stages.

The combination of strategic execution and clean performances from each of the drivers put both cars in a position to fight for the overall victory. Charlotte Traynor produced an especially strong stint in the #119 Toyota, earning praise from her teammates, while Michele Abbate's performance in the #120 was recognized by the World Racing League broadcast team with Driver of the Day honours.

As the eight-hour race reached its conclusion, AE Victory Racing completed a remarkable 1-2 sweep, with the #120 Toyota driven by Hannah Grisham, Alana Carter and Michele Abbate taking the overall victory ahead of the #119.

For Grisham and the #120 crew, the result represented another major step in the team's championship campaign, while Montgomery, Traynor and Airikkala combined to bring the #119 home second after overcoming its early-race contact.

The result was particularly significant given that AE Victory Racing had entered Watkins Glen occupying the top two positions in the GTO National Championship. The 1-2 therefore provided a substantial points haul for both entries.

Photo credits: Alec Gamino

The second race of the weekend brought a different set of challenges, with seven hours of competition repeatedly interrupted by three red-flag stoppages. Despite the disruption, AE Victory Racing once again executed its driver changes and pit strategy efficiently, ensuring that the development drivers received valuable track time while keeping both Toyota Supras among the front runners.

The #120 Supra again fought toward the front and ultimately secured third place, giving the car its second podium of the weekend after Saturday's victory.

The #119 was similarly competitive and ran as high as fourth during the closing stages. Traynor was behind the wheel as the team attempted to mount a final challenge for fourth place, but the timing of the final red-flag restart worked against the trio.

A prototype was positioned between the #119 and the fourth-place competitor following the restart, while the limited amount of racing time remaining left Traynor with insufficient opportunity to make another charge. The #119 entry nevertheless finished fifth, completing another top-five result and giving AE Victory Racing four top-5 finishes finishes across the two races.

Beyond the championship points, Watkins Glen represented another important weekend for AE Victory Racing's driver development program, which is focused on providing women with the seat time, mentorship and professional opportunities required to progress in endurance racing.

Airikkala's debut was one of the weekend's takeaway points, as she steadily improved her lap times and adapted to the demands of the series, ultimately helping the #119 secure second place on Saturday and fifth on Sunday.

Alana Carter also continued to make significant progress compared with her previous experience at Watkins Glen, showing a marked improvement in pace and quickly finding confidence around the circuit. She credited Grisham's support and guidance for helping her get up to speed and described her first experience racing at Watkins Glen as particularly rewarding.

Traynor likewise benefited from another weekend of valuable seat time, with her strong Saturday stint helping the #119 secure the runner-up finish. The team's emphasis on mentorship and shared learning was evident throughout the weekend, with the drivers working together while gaining experience.

Photo credits: Alec Gamino

For Montgomery, Watkins Glen was also a welcome return to a circuit she already knew and enjoyed. Her opening stint in the #119 helped establish the consistency that ultimately allowed the car to fight for the Saturday victory.

"To finish first and second on Saturday and then come back with another podium on Sunday is a great

result for this team," said Erin Vogel, Team Owner of AE Victory Racing. "More importantly, we saw so

many of the things we are trying to build through this program. I’m really proud of our team this

weekend both for their performances and their willingness to continuously learn from and teach one

another. These are the kinds of weekends that build championship results while also creating real

opportunities for our drivers."

AE Victory Racing leaves Watkins Glen with significant momentum in the GTO National Championship.

The championship campaign will now continue toward its final stages, with AE Victory Racing aiming to convert its Watkins Glen success into the GTO National title while continuing to provide its drivers with the experience and opportunities needed to progress through the endurance-racing ranks.