2020 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge
VP Racing Stay Frosty 240 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
September 4-6, 2020
Round: 5 of 10 in the 2020 Michelin Pilot Challenge
Racetrack: Michelin Raceway, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
2.54-mile road course, featuring 12 turns
Race: Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 12:10 pm ET (9:10 am PST) (4 Hours)
TV: LIVE on NBC Gold Track Pass
Live timing and scoring from each session available at www.IMSA.com
Live radio commentary for every session at www.IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com
BHA FAST FACTS:
2020 By the Numbers: The Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster N TCR cars have led 153 of the 243 (62%) laps raced in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) this season. Three of the four cars have won a race, including the last three races, and every BHA car has finished on the podium at least once. The BHA Hyundais are currently ranked first (#21), second (#98), third (#33) and 11th (#29) in the championship. Hyundai leads the manufacturers championship by 10 points over Audi and has a 19-point lead over Honda and Alfa Romeo.
Double Time: For the second time this season and the first time since the season opener at Daytona, IMPC teams will be challenged with a four-hour race. Should the race run without caution, the TCR class will complete 411 miles, the equivalent of driving across Georgia twice in four hours! Each driver must complete a minimum of forty minutes during the race to receive championship points. Engineers will be focusing on the tire strategy. Each team will receive six sets of Michelin tires to use throughout the weekend, at least four sets are expected to be used during the race.
Pole Position: Episode 4 of the Motor Trend series, Pole Position: Quest for the Championship was released this week. The series, in its third season takes viewers behind the scenes of BHA and their four-car Hyundai effort as they returned to racing after 174 days away from the track due to the COVID pandemic. A favorite among sports car fans, the series averages more than 700,000 viewers per episode. Click here to see the latest episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ncWYePePj4&t=96s
Hyundai Hope On Wheels: September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW) provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for pediatric cancer. HHOW is one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country, and primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 820 U.S. dealers. Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $172 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.
Bryan’s View: “We look forward to seeing our fans this weekend at Road Atlanta. Double the race time, double the pressure and the challenges, but it’s also twice as satisfying to succeed in the endurance races. We know our Hyundai Veloster N TCR cars are up to the challenge and so are our drivers and team.”
#21 Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins
Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 1st Championship: 1st (122 points)
- Current championship points leaders, three consecutive podium finishes (1st at Sebring, 3rd at Road America and second at VIR.)
- Mark Wilkins secured the 2019 IMPC Championship co-driving with Michael Lewis at Road Atlanta.
Harry Gottsacker: “Mark and I have proudly represented Hyundai on the podium at every race since our season re-started. These results have put us at the top of the championship heading into Atlanta this week. It is a bit of a weird feeling because normally Atlanta is the last race of the season, and we are just halfway! 2020 has been a strange year, but I’ve found success in IMSA and SRO this season and I am looking to build on that and finish strong.”
Mark Wilkins: “We’re at the midway point of the 2020 season now, and as a team, we have a ton of momentum behind us and our Veloster N TCR cars have been absolutely incredible! This track is a favorite of mine and it really suits our car. Michael and I won the 2019 championship there and that success is still fresh in my mind. Harry and I will be looking to pad our championship lead, with our second win of the season this weekend! As we head into September and Childhood Cancer Awareness month, we are been proud to race in support of this great cause through Hyundai Hope on Wheels, as we have over the past three seasons. I look forward to making a contribution this September and invite you to visit HyundaiHopeonWheels.org to learn more.”
#29 Vertical Bridge/Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Parker Chase and Spencer Brockman
Best Start: 4th Best Finish: 2nd Championship: 11th (82 points)
Parker Chase: “Coming off another great finish two weeks ago at VIR, Spencer and I are looking to continue this strong momentum we have. Despite our joining the team at the second race of the season, we are already up to 11th place, and if we can continue this trend of good results, we have a shot at the top-three in the championship. That is my goal, for sure.”
Spencer Brockman’s: “Road Atlanta is one of the tracks I’ve anticipated the most, because the Veloster N TCR is going to handle so well through the ‘esses’ and on those downhill, diving turns. It’s one of my favorite tracks, I’ve already won twice from pole there earlier this year competing in Formula Atlantic, so I am prepped and ready for my first IMSA endurance race. Double the stops, double the action!”
#33 Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman
Best Start: 1st Best Finish: 1st Championship: 3rd (111 points)
- The #33 car has led every race this season, 107 total laps led, more than any other car.
- Gabby is a previous winner at Road Atlanta, from pole in 2012 competing in Pro Mazda.
Gabby Chaves: “Heading into the halfway point of the championship, we are finding our groove and have shown great pace. If we can keep the pace and do a better job of finding consistency in the last half of the race, we will put the #33 Hyundai Veloster N TCR car in championship contention.”
Ryan Norman: “This will be my first time back at Road Atlanta in four or five years, but I have fond memories since it was the first track, I ever drove on. I took the Skip Barber Racing School at Road Atlanta and that was the start of it all for me. I’ve also scored a few victories at Road Atlanta in my early racing days. Gabby and I will be ready for redemption and going for the win.”
#98 Hyundai Veloster N TCR
Drivers: Mason Filippi and Michael Lewis
Best Start: 3rd Best Finish: 1st Championship: 2nd (115 pts)
- Mason Filippi and Michael Lewis scored their first victory of the season two weeks ago at VIR.
- Michael won the 2019 IMPC championship co-driving with Mark Wilkins at Road Atlanta.
Mason Filippi: “I cannot wait to jump back into the Veloster N TCR around Road Atlanta one of my favorite tracks! Bryan Herta Autosport is on a tear, and it is so great to be a part of such an amazing team. My teammate, Michael Lewis and I are ready to use our momentum from VIR and bring it to the 4-hour race at Road Atlanta!”
Michael Lewis’s approach to VIR: “Road Atlanta is every driver’s dream track. I can’t wait to attack the circuit with our Hyundai Veloster N TCR race car. The team has been running on all cylinders and Hyundai gives us the tools we need to run up front. I’m thrilled Mason and I get to duel it out for four hours instead of two this weekend!”
