Hyundai Earns Double Podium-Finish in Sebring

· Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker Collect Second-Place Finish for Hyundai

· Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi Gain Key Championship Points with Third-Place Result

Fountain Valley, CA March 18, 2023 – Hyundai captured two positions on the podium following the first sprint race of the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season at Sebring International Raceway. Bryan Herta Autosport’s (BHA) Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker in the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR claimed second position while Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi rounded out the podium with a third-place finish, the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR pairing’s second podium in a row. In a caution-filled event, the reigning IMPC championship team of Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler fought their way into a top-five result.

The Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 saw the return of van der Steur Racing and the No. 91 Hyundai Elantra N TCR – piloted by Tyler Maxson and Bryan Ortiz – and the co-drivers delivered a finish in sixth. Thursday’s race at Sebring International Raceway brought a bit of a challenging race for the Deily Motorsports No. 74 Hyundai Elantra N TCR finishing in tenth while the No.70 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, piloted by Jacob Deily and Cabot Bigham, was involved in an on-track incident towards the opening minutes of the two-hour race, ending their day early.

· Top Finishing Hyundai: Second place for the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker

· Top Qualifying Hyundai: Third place for the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins

Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, drivers No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport, along with Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi, drivers of the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport, celebrate on the podium in second and thrid place respectively for the Alan Jay Automotive Group 120 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., Mar. 16, 2023 (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

Taylor Hagler: “It’s nice to come away from Sebring with a top five, but it wasn’t the podium we were hoping for. I was happy with my stint as I moved up a number of positions and avoided the incidents throughout the race. It feels great to rebound from our issues at Daytona and this upswing of progress will be something we want to continue at Laguna Seca.” 

Mason Filippi: “It was pretty chaotic, almost like a video game out there…stuff was happening everywhere. I was glad we started up front, and our pitstops were fast and once again, Mark killed it at the end. He’s an awesome teammate and I’m really happy with how we work together and the way our season has started. Now, I’m turning my focus back to Germany as we hustle back to The Ring for our first VLN race!”

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