Koch Seeking Historic Double SRO America Title Glory at Indy

Photo: Kenton Koch FB

Kenton Koch could enter the record books as the first driver to win titles in SRO America’s two premier championships in the same year, as the Random Vandals Racing driver seeks double championship glory this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Koch currently leads both the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Pro class and Pirelli GT4 America Silver championships entering The Brickyard, with his GT4 title set to be locked up once he and co-driver Kevin Boehm start Saturday’s Race 1 of the weekend in their No. 97 BMW M4 GT4 EVO.

The situation in GTWC America is a bit more complex, as despite Koch and BMW M Motorsport factory driver Connor De Phillippi having a 18-point lead over the second-placed JMF Motorsports pairing of Mikael Grenier and Michai Stephens, double points are up for grabs in the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS.

Koch and De Phillippi will be joined by Conor Daly in Saturday’s enduro, which also serves as the season-ending round of Intercontinental GT Challenge, where they will be one of four BMWs in the Pro class eligible to score IGTC manufacturer points.

No driver has won the GTWC America and GT4 America championships in the same year.

“It would be cool if I could do both with Random Vandals, one with Kevin in GT4 and then obviously the other with Connor in GT3,” Koch told Sportscar365.

“The GT3 side needs to go perfect for us. In order for us to clinch the championship there, we have to finish second if Michai and Mik end up winning. But obviously if they don’t win, that’s it.

“The thing is, anything can happen. It’s an eight-hour race. We don’t know what’s going to happen. The BoP is not looking great for us, but it’s hard to say.

“GT4 is a little bit low pressure situation but we’re just going to go have fun.”

Koch and De Phillippi’s GTWC America season has been highlighted by six class wins and 12 podium finishes in their No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which only failed finish outside the top-three once when De Phillippi collided with teammate Varun Choksey in the second race at Circuit of The Americas, resulting in lengthy repairs due to suspension damage.

In GT4 America, Koch and Boehm collected seven class wins in their Random Vandals BMW and hold an virtually insurmountable 49-point lead over RAFA Racing Team’s Gresham Wagner and Tyler Gonzalez.

The 31-year-old Silver-rated driver, who is poised to be upgraded to Gold rating by the FIA next year due to his success in both SRO America as well as having been a multiple-time GTD class winner in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, has praised his new-for-2025 co-driver De Philippi in GTWC America, as well as the continued progress of Boehm in GT4 America.

“It’s been really cool driving with Connor De Phillippi,” said Koch. “I’ve learned a lot from him and I feel a reason why I’ve shown well everywhere else is because of what Connor has done to help develop me a bit.

“It’s also been super cool seeing Kevin flourish on the GT4 side. His pace has been super strong. That’s why we’re in the situation we’re in. The team is firing on all cylinders and Kevin has done really well.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to also do the job and be where I need to be to be able to get ourselves in the championship position we’re in. But it takes an army on that front.

“When it comes to this year, I’ve been very happy with how things have gone. It’s a little bit unfortunate to be bumped to Gold [for 2026] but I could have been bumped to Gold on worse circumstances.

“I think with the year that I’ve had with the teams that I’ve been with is a reflection of one, how well they’ve done, but how things go well in the sport.”

Koch Has “A Couple of Scenarios” for 2026 Drives

As for next year, Koch said his plans are still coming into place, with multiple offers understood to be on the cards in the WeatherTech Championship, where he ended the season in a Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3, although the Paul Sparta-led Vandals squad is still working to finalize a GTD Pro entry with BMW.

Should his new Gold rating be formally approved, Koch, however, would not be able to defend his and Boehm’s nearly-sewn-up GT4 America Silver title, but could still compete in the series but in the Pro-Am ranks with a Bronze-rated co-driver.

“There’s a couple of scenarios,” said Koch for next year. “Nothing is solidified yet with anyone. It’s hard to say what’s going to happen. I’m just keeping my mind open.

“No matter what situation I end up in, I’ll be very happy with it for next year.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John