TCR victory for Racing to End Alzheimer’s at VIR

In the GS class, the Racing to End Alzheimer’s Ford Mustang recovers from an early off-course excursion to finish fifth

Alton, Va. (25 August, 2025) – Racing to End Alzheimer’s saw the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge victory lane for the first time this season at VIRginia International Raceway, as the No. 31 RVA Graphics Motorsports by Speed Syndicate Audi RS3 LMS TCR made a dramatic late-race pass for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix win.

In the Grand Sport (GS) class, Racing to End Alzheimer’s with Stephen Cameron Racing drivers Sean Quinlan and Greg Liefooghe kept the No. 19 Ford Mustang GT4 in contention despite an early off course excursion that set up a dramatic run to fifth.

For Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder Phil Frengs, the TCR victory was a return to earlier times. Frengs partnered with Fast MD by Speed Syndicate in 2019 – the first full year of the iconic “names” livery – and the team carried longtime Racing to End Alzheimer’s driver Nick Galante and James Vance to victory at VIR (also in an Audi).

Current team principals Farran Davis (RVA Graphics) and Chris Vallee (Speed Syndicate) wanted to join the effort when Racing to End Alzheimer’s returned to the series earlier this season in addition to the Cameron team. Displaying a large Racing to End Alzheimer’s logo on the sides on top of a purple and orange car’s full livery at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Galante joined Luke Rumburg behind the wheel. Team driver Jaden Conwright was back alongside Rumburg as the season continued, Davis and Vallee decided to make the partnership official, becoming a “sister” effort with the GS car.

“We couldn’t be happier to be back with Farran and Chris – and to see young drivers like Luke and Jaden representing the team like old pros, both on and off track,” said Frengs. “The entire team has embraced the program – with an extra note of thanks to IMSA for continuing to place us side by side in the paddock, so that our Racing to End Alzheimer’s tent and activities encompass both teams.”

Rumburg and Conwright earned their first series podium earlier this month at Road America and continued to impress at VIR, posting the third quickest time in the first practice on Friday. Qualifying sixth, Rumburg stayed out of trouble early – not an easy feat in another typically rough and tumble two-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge event. Rumburg came into pit lane in fifth position, handing the car to Conwright who began a run to the front. Conwright battled with the No. 98 Hyundai and the two made contact, which was subsequently judged to be a racing incident. Conwright then made a move for the on the restart with 11 minutes remaining, getting past the No. 33 Hyundai to take the lead. Conwright is the first 3D (Diverse Driver Development) Scholarship recipient to earn a race victory.

“It feels great bringing the car with these colors into victory lane,” said Conwright. “We got really close to Road America – I think we could have won if I was a bit smarter about the tires. We looked at a lot of data and didn’t do what we did at Road America, and I was obviously able to keep things going. It feels good because we earned it as a team – and we’re helping a bigger effort.”

The Cameron team had its own uphill battle, forced to move to its back-up car after a big crash at Road America. Posting a P4 in practice one and a P8 in practice two, while working to find the balance they’d had with the previous car, Quinlan placed the Racing to End Alzheimer’s Ford Mustang in 10th position for Saturday afternoon’s race.

The race was progressing as planned until Quinlan came upon the aftereffects of an incident (involving the eventual race winner), Sean was forced to veer off track and into the grass. Quinlan battled back to P16 before heading to pit lane for four Michelin tires, fuel, and a change to Liefooghe – and in typical fashion, Liefooghe wasted no time making his way through the field, quickly putting the Mustang back into the top five while pacing consistently as fast or faster than the cars ahead.

But no Michelin Pilot Challenge race is without drama, and this one came with 20 minutes remaining. The team held their breath, knowing that Liefooghe would likely have to come in for a splash of fuel that would put him back in the field, but a late yellow meant that he could battle to the end. Unable to make a solid move on the increasingly “wide” cars ahead, Liefooghe settled for fifth – albeit with Frengs pleased with the run from back to front.

“That’s Greg,” said Frengs. “We’ve come to expect that he can never be ruled out. Saturday was another solid effort by the entire team, setting up the backup car well and executing perfect pit stops.”

But as is always the case, the on-track action is only part of the story. VIR is Frengs’ favorite, for good reason.

“VIR is always such a fan-friendly venue,” said Frengs. “It’s fun to be here because there’s always a large and enthusiastic crowd – and I think this year’s crowd was the biggest I’ve ever seen. People who stop to talk to us and they want to understand what this is all about, and it’s great to be able to tell them that they can honor somebody that they love who has suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s just by doing something very simple. We encourage them to add their champion’s name to the side of the car. We always feel great about it, and we know that when they put their loved ones’ name on the car they, they will feel very special as well.

“We also have a huge appreciation for Steve Cameron and his entire team,” continued Frengs. “After the incident and after the decision to go to the back-up car, and after the work on the car was complete, now we had to put 130 names back on the car in a relatively short period of time before we arrived here at the track. The team was fabulous – they just went to work and got all the names on effectively in the same place they were. So those that are following us, know that we still have all those names on the car, honoring the people that are so loved. We’re thrilled and honored to be able to do it.”

The No. 19 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Mustang gives families the chance to honor loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or any form of dementia. For a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the Racing to End Alzheimer’s website’s tribute page. All donations are matched by Frengs’ company Legistics, with 100% going to the program’s two principal beneficiaries – the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist, and the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.

To date, Racing to End Alzheimer’s has donated over $1 million to those two programs.

Donate now at this link.

Next up for Racing to End Alzheimer’s and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will be the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 at the famed Brickyard on Saturday, September 20.  The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Peacock TV, and internationally on IMSA.tv and on IMSA’s YouTube channel – ad-free courtesy of Michelin.