Turner Plotting Pro Class Move for Rothberg, Foley in 2026

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Turner Motorsport is plotting a move to the Pro class of GT World Challenge America powered by AWS with Robby Foley and Justin Rothberg next year according to team owner Will Turner.

The defending Pro-Am champions, who head into next month’s season-ending Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS with a 19-point lead in the class standings, are already preparing to graduate to the top category in 2026.

“We’re looking at the Pro class,” Turner told Sportscar365. “We’re close to making something happen.”

Rothberg, who is rated Silver by the FIA, has run as a derogated Bronze* in SRO America since making his GT3 debut last year, although this is understood to end, at least for GT America powered by AWS competition, next year.

The 25-year-old Floridian, who is also on the cusp of the GT America powered by AWS title in SRO3, would not be eligible to return to the single driver sprint-race series.

Turner said the priority would be for Rothberg, who is set for his stock car racing debut next month, to get extra seat time during the off-season to prepare for the step up to the Pro class.

“He’s also been testing some roundy-round stuff,” said Turner. “He has an ARCA race on Oct. 4 in Toledo. He wants to explore different avenues, as well as to keep him busy.

“SRO is not a big schedule. I think next year he plans on keeping himself occupied for more.”

Turner praised his championship-winning driver combination, particularly BMW factory ace Foley, who has taken Rothberg under his wings.

“That’s got to continue because they get along great together and obviously Robby is a fantastic coach and has brought him this far,” he said.

“They’re good friends too. That would be the lineup if we went that route.”

Turner Petitioning For Revised Bronze* Derogation for Indy 8H

The longtime BMW entrant is currently in talks with SRO Motorsports Group regarding Rothberg’s Bronze* derogation for this year’s Indy 8 Hour.

Rothberg’s cars in both GTWC America and GT America have carried 26 kg of additional weight since the fourth event of the season at Virginia International Raceway, after previously starting off with 13 kg at Circuit of The Americas.

A five-second pit stop penalty in GTWC America races was introduced for the No. 29 BMW at the Road America round as a further measure due to Rothberg’s performance.

“We’re waiting for confirmation on what happens at the 8 Hour,” said Turner. “If we put the weight in the car, every driver has to carry the weight for the whole race, which doesn’t seem right.

“If they give us five seconds on the pit stop like they did, that’s not really fair either.”

Turner said he’s petitioning for no weight penalty, given the fact it will be a three-driver lineup and the car will also be eligible to score Intercontinental GT Challenge manufacturer points.

“You can’t start with the weight and then take the weight off during the race,” he said. “It’s not really fair for us to be running with 26 kg when Justin is only doing less than a third of the race.

“We’ll see where that is.”

Turner confirmed that Patrick Gallagher, who drives with Foley in the team’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class entry, will again complete the lineup for Indy.

“We’ve got to use him,” said Turner. “He jumps right in and does his job and we won last 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