As the Pro-Am leaders and reigning champions, Turner Motorsport’s Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley are entering the Indy 8 Hour presented by AWS with both momentum and experience on their side. With their impressive sophomore season together drawing to a close soon, the No. 29 BMW M4 GT3 pairing is poised to defend their title crown at one of the most iconic circuits in motorsports: Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
For Rothberg, this weekend represents more than just the championship finale; it’s also the culmination of a transformative year both on and off the track. The young American has expanded his horizons beyond GT racing, recently making his oval debut in the ARCA Menards Series at Toledo Speedway.
“It was really fun and totally different,” Rothberg said. “It was my first time on an oval and in a stock car. Everything was so different, from the paddock environment to the racing style, even the way you approach the event compared to GT racing. I really enjoyed it, and hopefully I’ll be doing more stock cars soon while still racing GT machinery. I just like doing a little bit of everything.”
While the ARCA experience was a detour from his familiar GT3 cockpit, Rothberg believes it paid dividends in unexpected ways.
“That race was two hours long with no straightaways, just nonstop turning,” he explained. “It was a great test of stamina and helped build my resistance. It was like being in a sauna, and there’s never a moment to catch your breath. I think it’ll help me during my longer stint in the eight hour race.”
This time last year, Rothberg and Foley were the hunters. Sitting second in points, some could say they needed a miracle to come their way, and one did. They went on to clinch the 2024 Pro-Am title, but this season the tables have turned.
“Last year we had a pretty sizable deficit. I didn’t even bring my tuxedo for the end-of-year banquet,” Rothberg joked. “We needed to win the race while hoping the points leaders had a mechanical failure. It was a long shot that ended up working out. This year is different though, now it’s ours to lose. We have to be smart, hit every mark, and push when it matters because we know the No. 11 Corvette (DXDT Racing) will be fast.”
Foley, a seasoned BMW factory driver, echoed his teammate’s sentiment. His approach is pragmatic, built on execution and consistency.
“To keep it simple, it’s pretty much the same as any other race,” Foley stated. “We know what we have to do. Execute, stay smart, and don’t do anything silly. The championship is closer than last year, so we’re definitely keeping an eye on the No. 11 Corvette, but it’s still about doing what has gotten us to this point.”
Their chemistry as co-drivers, and as friends, has been another key factor in Turner Motorsport’s continued success.
“We’ve definitely grown closer this year,” Foley shared. “Last season, everything was new for Justin and now we’re building on that foundation. He’s improved a lot, and it’s been rewarding to help him grow. He’s a great driver and a good friend.”
As for racing at the Brickyard, both drivers feel the weight of history every time they pass under the towering and commanding presence of the Pagoda.
“We’re not really a sports family, but my dad always watched the Indy 500,” Rothberg recalled. “It’s the one sporting event we’d actually watch together. It’s the holy grail of motorsports.”
For Foley, the magic of Indianapolis is magnified by the length and format of the Indy 8 Hour.
“It’s one of the most famous tracks in the world,” Foley said. “It’s cool to have an eight-hour race here that ends at night, I love driving under the lights. Most of my favorite races are the ones that end that way.”
With championship pressure mounting, global stars on the grid, and the storied Brickyard as their backdrop, Rothberg, Foley and the team’s third driver Patrick Gallagher, know exactly what is at stake, and exactly how to handle it.
“There’s a lot to lose, so we have to be smart,” Rothberg concluded. “But if we execute the way we know we can, we’ll be in the fight. And to be doing it here, at Indy, makes it that much more special.”