Championship leaders and race winners naturally command much of the spotlight throughout an SRO America season. But beyond the familiar names atop the standings, there are plenty of teams and drivers quietly building momentum and knocking on the door of breakthrough performances.
Whether it's a long-awaited first victory, a new driver pairing finding its rhythm, or a team steadily climbing toward championship contention, these are the competitors worth keeping an eye on when racing resumes at Road America later this summer from August 28th-30th.
No. 04 HP-TECH Motorsport Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO – Tony Davis
Tony Davis announced himself as a genuine contender with his breakthrough victory at Sebring, and he has remained a familiar face near the front throughout the opening half of the year. He occupies second in the SRO3 class standings, thanks to a third place result, three runner-up finishes, and one victory.
Podium finishes and pole positions have demonstrated both one-lap speed and race pace, making Davis one of the championship's most consistent challengers outside of the title leader. As the season enters its decisive phase, it will be fascinating to see whether he can continue applying pressure to championship leader Memo Gidley and add more victories to his growing résumé.
No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) – Kyle Washington
Kyle Washington hardly qualifies as an underdog, but his 2026 GT America campaign still feels like unfinished business. He sits third in the SRO3 class, just 15 points behind Davis, and will have many opportunities in the upcoming rounds to close that gap.
A perennial championship contender with multiple GT World Challenge America victories already to his name, Washington has accumulated several GT America podium finishes this season while continuing to chase that first win of the year. He has claimed three second place results across the rounds so far, and one third place finish, but after climbing on to the top step in previous campaigns, he'll be aiming high in the final six races.
No. 2 Racers Edge Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO – Jason Bell
Jason Bell is no stranger to GT America competition, but for the 2026 season, he only made his first appearance on track in the third event of the year at Sebring International Raceway. But despite the late arrival, he made his presence known right away.
Since rejoining the field, he has scored four consecutive victories across the Sebring and Road Atlanta rounds. While he still has a large gap to close to full-season driver Craig Lumsden in first place, Bell's strong form could see him consistently chip away at that margin.
The Second Half Awaits
Championship battles are often defined by the familiar front-runners, but seasons are just as frequently remembered for breakthrough moments. A first victory, a surprise podium, or a team finding its stride can quickly reshape the narrative.
With Road America set to kick off the final stretch of the 2026 season, these competitors have already shown they possess the talent to contend. All that's left is for everything to come together when it matters most.
Join us trackside to watch the next chapter unfold, get your #GTRoadAmerica tickets now!