The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series held its first-ever doubleheader race weekend, competing at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Typically a spring race that features rain and colder temperatures, perfect racing weather greeted the rescheduled event. Bryan Herta Autosport’s 4-car Hyundai Veloster N TCR team raced over 150 laps each over the 2.2-mile, 13 turn road course.
Spencer Brockman and Parker Chase led the Hyundai’s on Saturday, finishing fourth in the #29 Vertical Bridge Veloster N TCR, which catapulted the young guns from 11th to sixth in the championship. Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman led the way on Sunday in Race 2, where they finished second and extended their championship lead. Mason Filippi and Michael Lewis earned a pair of top five finishes and bumped up one position in the standings to second. Previous points leaders Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins are due for better luck in the coming races as the #21 car finished outside of the top five the last three races because of situations beyond their control.
With three races remaining in the 2020 IMPC championship, Hyundai leads the manufacturers standings. BHA returns to action at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in the Fox Factory 120 on October 16.
#33 Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman
Race 1: Saturday, September 27, 2020
Qualified: 7th (Norman) Finished: 7th Championship: 1st (170 pts)
Gabby Chaves (finished): “We had an issue with the air jack during our driver change which caused a lengthy pitstop. It was a pretty uneventful race after that. We tried to learn as much about the car and the track as we could to help ourselves for tomorrow.”
Ryan Norman: “I’m really happy it’s a doubleheader and we can get the #33 Veloster N TCR back where it belongs tomorrow. It was a challenging day, but we’ll be back strong tomorrow for Race 2.”
Race 2: Sunday September 27, 2020
Qualified: 7th (Norman) Finished: 2nd
Gabby Chaves: “It was an entertaining race, and a lot of fun. I raced hard to catch the leader. They made it with one less stop than us, we thought we would either catch them or they would run out of fuel, we just needed one more lap. I am still very happy with second, Ryan and I are extremely focused on winning the TCR and the Manufacturers championship and today we extended our lead.”
Ryan Norman: “The car was really fantastic today, and the BHA crew definitely hit all of their marks. We had to make it on two pit stops with the fuel. It was really a push there at the end with the Audi. One more lap and he would have been out of fuel, but it was a very positive end to the doubleheader weekend for the #33 Hyundai Veloster N TCR. I really want to thank Hyundai for another fantastic weekend and it’s a blast racing for this championship. In order to win it, we need to execute, podium or win every race and that is what Gabby and I intend to do.”
#29 Vertical Bridge Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Parker Chase and Spencer Brockman
Race 1: Saturday, September 26, 2020
Qualified: 9th (Chase) Finished: 4th
Parker Chase: “It was fun to start for the first time in the Hyundai Veloster N TCR. I had a good start, I passed a couple of cars in the first few laps, then made my way up to as high as second before turning it over to Spencer who raced hard. It was a good points day for us, and it should have pushed us up into the top-ten and we’ll fight for the win tomorrow.”
Spencer Brockman (finished): “I’m pretty happy with the result. After starting ninth, we ended up fourth and scored very valuable points for Hyundai today. Parker was awesome out there in the first stint, he did a great job getting the car up the field and the BHA boys were quick in the pits. It was fun to turn around and jump back in the car tonight to qualify. It was really different out there at dusk, but fun.”
Race 2: Sunday, September 27, 2020
Qualified: 8th (Brockman) Finished: 6th
Spencer Brockman (finished): “It wasn’t the best stint for me, I got held up in the back a little bit and Mid-Ohio is a tough place to pass. I worked hard to manage my tires and we got lucky and caught an early yellow right as we were getting ready to pit. The #29 Vertical Bridge crew gave us a quick stop and Parker finished it out from there. The BHA boys worked their tails off this weekend, three 12-hour plus days in a row at the track, huge shout out to them.”
Parker Chase: “It was a hectic one. I had quite a bit of contact with another car, not sure why he felt like he needed to push me around out there, but I defended the line and took care of the #29 Veloster N TCR the best I could. The contact definitely damaged our set-up a little bit, which ultimately affected our pace. When that happens, you’ve got to keep your eye on the big picture and bring it home in the points. Sixth isn’t the result we were racing for, but we took a big leap forward in the championship this weekend, so I am pleased about that for Hyundai and the #29 team.”
#98 Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Mason Filippi and Michael Lewis
Race 1: Saturday, September 26, 2020
Qualified: 2nd (Lewis) Finished: 5th Championship: 3rd (167 pts)
Michael Lewis: “The BHA team executed well in the pits and it was an uneventful race for us. Both Mason and I ran hard, and I think it was one of those days where you race hard and maximize the points situation. I am looking forward to another race tomorrow and finishing a bit higher up the timesheets.”
Mason Filippi: “The BHA crew did an amazing job today; it wasn’t the result we were hoping for, but we brought the car home in perfect condition which is important for qualifying tonight. Michael took great care of the equipment and the Michelin tires. We changed the two fronts when I hopped in and that was it, no changes. It’s cool having a doubleheader and being able to get right back in the car. I am really looking forward to qualifying tonight, we made some changes to the 98 Hyundai Veloster N TCR and we’ll hopefully get a few more tenths out of it tomorrow.”
Race 2: Sunday, September 27, 2020
Qualified: 6th (Filippi) Finished: 4th
Mason Filippi: “Our Hyundai Veloster N TCR car was great through the first stint today; we were focused on saving fuel, brakes and tires, really to keep it perfect for the second stint. The #98 BHA crew gave us a great stop and Michael raced a smart race to the end. Doubleheaders are awesome because you get so much time in the car. It’s really exciting for a driver after the first race to know you get a second race right away. Sometimes the two weeks between races can be agonizing, especially if there is something I know I could have done better or something I want to try. I’ll play it over and over in my head. So, from that standpoint, this doubleheader was awesome. That being said, it sure is intense for the guys and a lot of long hours. Our BHA crew are such pro’s it doesn’t matter what you throw at them, they always execute flawlessly.”
Michael Lewis: “It was pretty cool out there. There were some tight battles, it was close racing and I think we put on a good show for the fans this weekend. It was awesome having them back and you could see from our perspective they were very happy to be there. Mason did a great job preserving the car, while still keeping us up in the front pack. When I took over, I had the tools to race hard to the end. The conditions were a bit different from race to race and our engineer John (Ward) gave us a great set-up for both races this weekend…he had a tough job giving a car that we can race hard with while still preserving all of the tools that we need to be there at the end. I can’t wait to get back to Road Atlanta and race the #98 Hyundai Veloster N TCR back to the winners circle.”
#21 Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Mark Wilkins and Harry Gottsacker
Race 1: Saturday, September 26, 2020
Qualified: 6th (Wilkins) Finished: 6th Championship: 2nd (169 pts)
Mark Wilkins: “It was fun to start a race again, it has been a while and I felt like I had to refresh myself on all of the tricks. Remembering when to get on it, where the starting line is, and keeping it straight in the mayhem
is always fun. It’s a bit of a different skill set, but great practice. We brought the car home clean and ready for another race tomorrow. It was great qualifying out there tonight. I definitely noticed all of the campfires and the fans out there, it is awesome.”
Harry Gottsacker: “It was a little bit of a tough day for 21 car. Mark had an awesome first stint, it was clean and consistent. He prepared me well for my stint and gave me great feedback to get ready. Unfortunately, we just didn’t have the track position today, we weren’t able to race with the frontrunners. Ready to get back out there tomorrow and bring this Hyundai Veloster to the front.”
Race 2: Sunday, September 27, 2020
Qualified: 4th (Wilkins) Finished:
Mark Wilkins: “It was a tough race for us today. I was running in second for most of my stint; I was settling into the groove, and our car was fantastic. I thought we were going to be in a strong position for a top three finish. Harry got in for the second half and as he always does, he put in a really solid performance. He’s a very calm person, but man he’s on fire in that Veloster N TCR car. Ultimately, we had an issue that ended our day early, which is very unfortunate, and we’ll take a hit in the points. We’ll be back stronger for Atlanta.”
Harry Gottsacker: “It was definitely a great start here in Race 2 at Mid-Ohio. Our Veloster N TCR was on rails and Mark quickly passed his way to second after starting fourth. Once I got in the car, there was definitely a lot of slicing and dicing out there, it was fun, and the car was awesome. Unfortunately, we were forced to retire early, but I have great confidence in everyone at BHA and Hyundai that we’re going to get this rocket ship back out there even stronger for the next one.”
