LAURA HAYES Finally Claims Maiden GT4 America Victory After Season of Near-Misses

September 9, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

LAURA HAYES finally broke through for her maiden Pirelli GT4 America AM class victory at Barber Motorsports Park, ending a frustrating rookie season filled with near-misses and mechanical failures. The Shift Up Now athlete had been knocking on the door all year with teammate Allen Patten, earning podiums at Sebring but watching potential wins slip away due to suspension failures at COTA and punctures that cost them dearly when leading races.
The breakthrough came in dramatic fashion during the final race of Barber’s triple-header weekend. Starting second in AM class, HAYES took over from Patten and found herself eight seconds behind the leader after a driver change. When a full-course yellow bunched the field, she seized her moment—outbraking the leader into Turn 1 on lap 28 to take the class lead and her first taste of running at the front when it mattered most.
HAYES proved she belonged at the sharp end by demonstrating racecraft under pressure that many veterans would envy. She skillfully avoided a spinning BMW while defending her lead, using traffic as a strategic buffer against charging competitors. When rival Clay mounted a final-lap attack, HAYES held her nerve and position, crossing the line for a victory that had been building all season long—proof that persistence pays off when talent meets opportunity.