Watkins Glen, NY (June 29, 2021) – Gabby Chaves will co-drive the #98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR with Parker Chase this weekend at Watkins Glen, stepping in for his 2020 Co-Champion Ryan Norman at Bryan Herta Autosport. Ryan Norman will return to Mid-Ohio, the site of his recent TCR victory to make his NTT INDYCAR Series debut, driving the No. 52 DCRwRWR IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing.
Chaves and Ryan Norman co-drove the #33 Hyundai Veloster N TCR to three victories enroute to the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge title, “It’s great to be back with BHA and Hyundai for two hours around Watkins Glen,” said Chaves. “This is one of my favorite tracks and I am looking forward to getting a taste of the new Elantra N TCR and do my part in driving the development forward. I am happy to see Ryan get an opportunity that he has always wanted, and I am honored to step in and hopefully pick up right where I left off in 2020 after winning the TCR Championship with Bryan and the Hyundai team.”
A veteran of the Road to Indy program, Norman completed three seasons competing in IndyLights with Andretti Autosport. A native of Cleveland, Ohio Norman’s IndyCar debut will come at his home track, “I am really looking forward to this opportunity. Having come up the ranks in open wheel and the Road to Indy program, it has been a goal of mine to race in IndyCar. I want to thank my teammate Parker (Chase), Bryan Herta and Hyundai for encouraging me to take this opportunity. Gabby was such an awesome teammate last season; I know he and Parker will have a very successful weekend in the #98 Elantra N.”
Bryan Herta Autosport debuted the Elantra N TCR at Daytona earlier this season. Norman and 2021 co-driver Parker Chase won with the Elantra in just its third race and finished second at Waktins Glen last weekend. “Congratulations to Ryan on his IndyCar debut. We have a deep pool of versatile talent within this Hyundai group of drivers and it’s exciting to see them recognized by other racing series,” said Bryan Herta, team principal. He continued, “We are excited to welcome Gabby, our 2020 co-champion back to the program. With his experience and expertise, I am sure we will take the development of the Elantra N TCR another big step forward this weekend.”
The Sahlen’s 120 at Watkins Glen International kicks off with practice and qualifying Thursday, followed by the 2-hour race at 2:35pm ET on Friday. Watch live on NBC Gold’s TrackPass or listen to all of the sessions along with timing and scoring live on RadioLeMans at IMSA.com.
—
Media Contact: Katie Brannan, PR Bryan Herta Autosport
Tel. 775.783.9033 Email: kbrannan@bryanhertaautosport.com
Images: www.BHAMedia.com – Image copyright @LATUSA
