Behind the Helmet: The Hannahs of Heart of Racing
Behind the Helmet: The Hannahs of Heart of Racing
Same name, same team, shared passion for the fast lane.
If you’ve been keeping up with IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge series, chances are you’ve heard about Hannah-squared. Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier of the Heart of Racing team might share a first name, but we’re here for their shared passion and racing DNA.Â
Both grew up surrounded by racing. Both have dedicated years to reaching the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. And both understand that success isn’t built on individual talent alone; it’s built on teamwork, preparation and an unwavering passion for motorsports.
Same name, same team, shared passion for the fast lane.
If you’ve been keeping up with IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge series, chances are you’ve heard about Hannah-squared. Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier of the Heart of Racing team might share a first name, but we’re here for their shared passion and racing DNA.
Both grew up surrounded by racing. Both have dedicated years to reaching the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. And both understand that success isn’t built on individual talent alone; it’s built on teamwork, preparation and an unwavering passion for motorsports.
Maybe She’s Born with it
For both drivers, racing began long before they ever climbed into an IMSA race car.
Grisham’s introduction to motorsports came through her father, who raced motorcycles, including the legendary Baja 1000. She climbed into a go-kart at just six years old and never looked back.
“I fell in love with the sport from the very beginning,” she said.
Greenemeier’s path also started at home. Her father raced jet skis and GoPeds, and she grew up surrounded by competition, and it felt right. “Racing has always been in my blood,” she said.
While their stories are different, both prove that passion often starts young and grows with every lap.
Both drivers naturally fell into the racing world, but that doesn’t mean their journey comes easy. A little grit and some teamwork can go a long way.
Maybe She’s Born with it
For both drivers, racing began long before they ever climbed into an IMSA race car.
Grisham’s introduction to motorsports came through her father, who raced motorcycles, including the legendary Baja 1000. She climbed into a go-kart at just six years old and never looked back.
“I fell in love with the sport from the very beginning,” she said.
Greenemeier’s path also started at home. Her father raced jet skis and GoPeds, and she grew up surrounded by competition, and it felt right. “Racing has always been in my blood,” she said.
While their stories are different, both prove that passion often starts young and grows with every lap.
Both drivers naturally fell into the racing world, but that doesn’t mean their journey comes easy. A little grit and some teamwork can go a long way.
Skill Built by the Side Fans Don’t Always See
Races might only last a few hours, a weekend, or a few minutes in some cases, but both Grisham and Greenmeier agree that success on the track begins away from the pavement.Â
Greenemeier knows preparation often means training for conditions that are nearly impossible to recreate.
“The most difficult part is preparing for the temperature inside the car,” she said. “You can train in a sauna, but there’s always something different about actually being in the race car.”
For Grisham, balancing life as a professional driver means wearing multiple hats. In addition to competing, she works as a tire dynamics test driver and coaches other racers, all while maintaining the physical and mental preparation needed to compete.
Mental clarity and reaction time for drivers can make or break performance. When the temperatures rise, and the fatigue sets in, it can be a lot of mind over matter.
Skill Built by the Side Fans Don’t Always See
Races might only last a few hours, a weekend, or a few minutes in some cases, but both Grisham and Greenmeier agree that success on the track begins away from the pavement.Â
Greenemeier knows preparation often means training for conditions that are nearly impossible to recreate.
“The most difficult part is preparing for the temperature inside the car,” she said. “You can train in a sauna, but there’s always something different about actually being in the race car.”
For Grisham, balancing life as a professional driver means wearing multiple hats. In addition to competing, she works as a tire dynamics test driver and coaches other racers, all while maintaining the physical and mental preparation needed to compete.
Mental clarity and reaction time for drivers can make or break performance. When the temperatures rise, and the fatigue sets in, it can be a lot of mind over matter.
The Ultimate Team Sport
It’s pretty typical to think of racing as an individual sport. A lot of the time you see one driver. One Car. One winner. The Heart of Racing team knows there’s more to that.
“People think racing is an individual sport, but it’s really one of the biggest team sports there is,” Grisham explained. “Every result comes from the mechanics, engineers, strategists, teammates and everyone behind the scenes working together.”
Communication becomes just as valuable as skill, and teamwork doesn’t stop out of pit lane. Fine-tuning, precise feedback, and trust can be the difference between a bad race day and making podium.
Heart of Racing <3’s VIR
It’s no secret we love living up to the reputation of Motorsports’ Heaven on Earth. It’s even better when we hear how much drivers enjoy the soul of VIR; the track itself.Â
For Grisham, it’s all about the challenge. “VIR is one of my favorite tracks on the calendar,” she said. “It’s a rhythm track—fast, technical and really rewards precision.”
Greenmeier shared that she looks forward to the energy of the fans and making the iconic Oak Tree Turn in the South end of VIR’s Full Course.
Their excitement is contagious and reflects what makes VIR such a special place for spectators and competitors alike.
The Ultimate Team Sport
It’s pretty typical to think of racing as an individual sport. A lot of the time you see one driver. One Car. One winner. The Heart of Racing team knows there’s more to that.
“People think racing is an individual sport, but it’s really one of the biggest team sports there is,” Grisham explained. “Every result comes from the mechanics, engineers, strategists, teammates and everyone behind the scenes working together.”
Communication becomes just as valuable as skill, and teamwork doesn’t stop out of pit lane. Fine-tuning, precise feedback, and trust can be the difference between a bad race day and making podium.
Heart of Racing <3’s VIR
It’s no secret we love living up to the reputation of Motorsports’ Heaven on Earth. It’s even better when we hear how much drivers enjoy the soul of VIR; the track itself.Â
For Grisham, it’s all about the challenge. “VIR is one of my favorite tracks on the calendar,” she said. “It’s a rhythm track—fast, technical and really rewards precision.”
Greenmeier shared that she looks forward to the energy of the fans and making the iconic Oak Tree Turn in the South end of VIR’s Full Course.
Their excitement is contagious and reflects what makes VIR such a special place for spectators and competitors alike.
Prepare to Be Ruined for Other Sports
If you’ve never attended an IMSA race, both drivers say you’re in for a surprise.
The biggest misconception? Many people don’t realize just how accessible the series is.
When it comes to an IMSA weekend at VIR, you won’t need a special pass to experience behind-the-scenes action that’s pretty rare in traditional sports. When it comes to the fans, we don’t play.Â
Visitors can explore the paddock, get up close to drivers and their teams, and take advantage of opportunities like autograph sessions, the traditional fan walk on the grid, and, not to mention more photo ops than you can imagine. Your Instagram feed is going to be giving FOMO.
Prepare to Be Ruined for Other Sports
If you’ve never attended an IMSA race, both drivers say you’re in for a surprise.
The biggest misconception? Many people don’t realize just how accessible the series is.
When it comes to an IMSA weekend at VIR, you won’t need a special pass to experience behind-the-scenes action that’s pretty rare in traditional sports. When it comes to the fans, we don’t play.Â
Visitors can explore the paddock, get up close to drivers and their teams, and take advantage of opportunities like autograph sessions, the traditional fan walk on the grid, and, not to mention more photo ops than you can imagine. Your Instagram feed is going to be giving FOMO.
Double the Hannah, Double the Fun (Or More)
So don’t be the one doomscrolling watching everyone else enjoy themselves this August, grab your tickets to the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge and Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix at VIR August 21-23.Â
Whether they’re sharing feedback with engineers, training for the next race, or chasing every tenth of a second on track, Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier embody the dedication it takes to compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Saturday, August 22.
They may share a first name, but they’ve each carved their own path to professional racing. And both are ready for the challenge that awaits at VIRginia International Raceway. Come see how it turns out and be ready to cheer them on!
Double the Hannah, Double the Fun (Or More)
So don’t be the one doomscrolling watching everyone else enjoy themselves this August, grab your tickets to the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge and Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix at VIR August 21-23.Â
Whether they’re sharing feedback with engineers, training for the next race, or chasing every tenth of a second on track, Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier embody the dedication it takes to compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Saturday, August 22.
They may share a first name, but they’ve each carved their own path to professional racing. And both are ready for the challenge that awaits at VIRginia International Raceway. Come see how it turns out and be ready to cheer them on!
