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Bring It On: BHA Drivers Savor 4-Hour Opportunity at Road America

Posted on by Katie Brannan
06
Aug
Road America 240
Round 8 of the 2022 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge
July 15-16, 2022
Racetrack: Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
14.048-mile road course, features 14 turns
Race: Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 1:15pm CST
TV: Live on NBC’s PEACOCK: www.peacock.tv
Listen: Live radio commentary for every session at www.IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com Live timing and scoring from each session available at www.IMSA.com. Live updates are available throughout the weekend on BHA social media and www.bryanhertaautosport.com
FAST FACTS:
Hyundai: Hyundai is seeking their third straight manufacturers’ title. They are currently ranked first, 120 points ahead of Audi, 150 points of Alfa Romeo and 220 points ahead of Honda.
4-Hour Stats: BHA entries have made 23 endurance race starts since they entered IMSA in 2019. With 8 top fives results, their average finishing position is 3rd.
Pre-Race Rituals: Drivers can be superstitious when it comes to their pre-race rituals and some of the BHA drivers are no different. Taylor Hagler eats mac n cheese prior to every race, AJ Muss always puts on his left shoe first and Mark Wilkins wears either checkered flag or Hyundai socks for every race. Mason Filippi swears by a cup of coffee just before grid and Stephen Simpson finds a hiding spot for 15 minutes of solitude to clear his mind and visualize the race.
Keeping on Track: It’s been two weeks since the last IMPC round at Lime Rock Park. Several of the BHA drivers have used the off weekends this season competing in other series to gain additional racing experience. Parker Chase has two top-fives and several top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series, Harry Gottsacker completed the 24 Hours of Spa and Mason Filippi has raced in the NASCAR Xfinity and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Others have done double-time during IMSA race weekends, AJ Muss won in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series and Tyler Maxson raced to the podium at Mid-Ohio in the IMSA Prototype Challenge race. Maxson also raced in the WeatherTech Championship in the Ligier LMP3 at the six-hour race at Watkins Glen.
#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR
2021 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS
2022: Best Start: 5th Best Finish: 2nd Ranked: 1st 1970 pts.
Taylor Hagler: “We are heading into Road America as the points leaders and we will be looking to maintain our lead. This has not been our best track in IMSA competition and we are looking to change that, as I had a great weekend here last year in GT World Challenge America. I really like the long flowing corners of Road America and I think the stability of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR will suit this layout. I’m hoping we can get back up on the podium this weekend to finish our season our strong.
Michael Lewis: “Let’s go racing! Road America is such a great track and to be competing here for our second four-hour, long race of the season is so awesome. Many fans attend this race and it provides a great atmosphere. Our BHA Hyundai Elantra N race car has been fast and we will look to keep it going here at this amazing place. I can’t wait to get out there!”
#2 Elantra N TCR
2022: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 3rd Ranked: 12th 1540 pts.
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Ryan Norman: “It’s time for AJ and I to get back on the podium and that is our focus.”
AJ Muss: “Im really excited, as Road America is one of my favorite tracks,and I was thrilled when they chose to make it a four-hour race. This isn’t the best track for the Hyundai Elantra N TC, but where it lacks, it makes up for in the long haul stints and technical bits. I am really looking forward to getting out there and building the lead in the manufacturers points for Hyundai.”
#33 Elantra N TCR
2022: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 3rd Ranked: 3rd 1860 pts.
Mark Wilkins: ““I’ve been looking forward to this race all season. Four hours at Road America will be great fun and it’s a track that has been good results wise for us in the past. We were so close to a podium last season; I feel like I have unfinished business there! Weather always seems to be a factor at Road America and after a mixed race last year I say bring on some rain! If we stay out of trouble and execute like we did at Watkins Glen and CTMP I feel like we have a great shot at getting back on the podium. Thanks to the team and crew for their hard work as always! I’m looking forward to another fantastic Hyundai road trip in the Elantra N around the top of the Great Lakes and down to Elkhart Lake. It’s a drive that takes me through rural Ontario, past Sault Ste. Marie and down past Green Bay. It’s a big drive but a beautiful scenic one and almost entirely rural, which means I can really enjoy the Elantra N the whole way! I can’t wait to hit the road!”
Robert Wickens: “Road America is one of my favourite tracks in the US. The track is great to drive and the Fans always make the atmosphere special. Our season is getting down to crunch time and we have to be perfect in the remaining 3 races to have a chance at the championship. Our second 4 hour race will add a new element to the strategy which I am looking forward to! “
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#54 Universal Coating Elantra N TCR
2022: Best Start: 3rd Best Finish: 2nd Ranked: 5th 1750 pts.
Michael Johnson:
“I’m super excited to get back racing at Road America! I have always liked the track and the huge crowd that is always there. This year with it being a 4-hour race should make it very exciting with many strategies. I hope we can use momentum from our podium finish at Lime Rock Park and come away with another podium or even a win!”
Stephen Simpson: “I’ve got fond memories of Road America. Had a great podium there in the Red Dragon in 2018, it’s always a tough race, so to finish well there is very satisfying. The longer races are my favorites and I think Michael and I have a strong shot at back to back podium finishes this weekend and improving our top five position in the championship. We’re headed into the last thre races now, so we’re very focused on strong results and keeping Hyundai out front.”
#77 Elantra N TCR
2022: Best Start: 1st Best Finish: 3rd Ranked: 11th 1550 pts.
Mason Filippi: “Yes, the four-hour race is here. I love the long races and can’t think of a better place to have a four-hour race than Road America. There is a reason every driver loves this track. It’s been a character building year and we are ready to push to the to this weekend. With three races left, let’s go fast!”
Tyler Maxson: “I love the endurance style events as it rewards both speed and patience, two key elements that we have shown in our program this year. If we can perform well in the first 3.5 hours and put ourselves in position near the end, we can attack and fight for the win. The Hyundai Elantra’s have proven to be the class of the field with several victories this season but now it is our turn to try and stand atop the podium at one of my favorite race tracks and a track that I have had much success on in the past.”
#98 Elantra N TCR
2022: Best Start: 1st Best Finish: 1st Ranked: 4th 1850 pts.
Harry Gottsacker IV: “Road America is the place on the calendar where I always look forward to going to. We have so many family members from the area who come out to support us during this event and it’s so awesome. I also got my first IMSA win at Road America and will be looking for another one on Saturday! The four hour race will be interesting and hopefully it will open up the strategy a bit for us to be creative.”
Parker Chase: “Harry and I are 4th in points coming into the weekend at Road America after a few difficult weekends. I think the goal this weekend with it being our 2nd of two endurance races this year is to make sure we first finish. The rest of the year will be about maximizing points over those ahead of us in the championship. Road America is a special place to the Gottsacker family, and I love it myself, so I’m excited to get on track.”
Katie Brannan

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