AURORA STRAUS Climbs Nine Spots to P16 in VIR’s Chaotic GS Battle

August 26, 2026

• AURORA STRAUS qualified 25th but executed a clean opening stint, methodically recovering positions through incidents and strategic timing to run as high as eighth before the driver change to co-driver Kenny Murillo.
• Wet opening practice limited setup work, forcing the #24 Murillo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 to chase optimal balance throughout the weekend while STRAUS and Murillo demonstrated consistent pace despite qualifying difficulties at the technical Virginia circuit.
• Multiple Full Course Yellows shaped race strategy as STRAUS avoided contact from incidents involving Ammann, Hampton, Uretsky, Giovanis, and Maddie Aust, capitalizing on attrition to gain nine positions from their starting spot to finish 16th.
• The result keeps STRAUS and Murillo 20th in championship standings with 1,110 points heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, still searching for the top-ten finish their mid-race pace suggests is achievable across the final two rounds.

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