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. 6 Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3 – Cameron Lawrence & Alex Sedgwick
Few pairings have shown as much untapped potential through the opening half of the season as Cameron Lawrence and Alex Sedgwick. The duo has already celebrated podium finishes, proving they have the pace to challenge at the front, but circumstances have repeatedly denied them that elusive first victory.
Notably, an incredible turnaround between a crash in practice at Sebring that later turned into a runner-up finish just a day later proved that Dollahite Racing is one of the most dangerous entries heading into the second half. If the breaks finally fall their way, it would be no surprise to see Lawrence and Sedgwick standing on the top step before season's end.
No. 8 McCann Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Michael McCann Jr. & Zach Vanier
Momentum has been steadily building for Michael McCann Jr. and Zach Vanier. Their first Pro class podiums were important milestones and rewarded the consistent progress the team has made throughout the year
Misfortune has occasionally interrupted what could have been even stronger weekends, but each event has shown signs of increasing confidence. As that continues to grow, McCann Racing has every opportunity to transform flashes of speed into regular podium appearances.
No. 017 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO – Michael Clark & Colin Braun
New partnerships often take time to develop, but Michael Clark and Colin Braun have begun showing encouraging signs of what's possible together.
Their fifth-place overall finish and fourth in class at Road Atlanta, which saw them earn the Hard Charger Award, demonstrated the pace and potential that has been unlocked. With valuable experience now under their belt and confidence on their side, Kellymoss appears poised to take yet another step forward. If they return from the summer break carrying the same momentum, podium contention may not be far away.
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!