Michelin Pilot Challenge

Filippi and Wilkins Take Points Lead to The Glen

Posted on by Katie Brannan
21
Jun

The Sahlen’s 120 at The Glen

Round 4 of the 2023 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge

June 21-23, 2023

Racetrack: Watkins Glen International Raceway

3.4-mile road course, features 11 turns

Race: Saturday, June 23, 2023, at 3:45-5:45 pm EST

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:

1 Win, 2 Podiums = Points Leaders: Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi have proven to be a formidable driver pairing. They currently lead the standings after their victory at Laguna Seca and finishing third at Daytona and Sebring.

The Start of Something Special: It was at Watkins Glen one year ago when Robert Wickens won for the first time driving with hand controls, just five races into his journey as a paralyzed race car driver. Wickens and his 2022 teammate and fellow Canadian Mark Wilkins repeated one week later at their home race at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

International Women in Engineering Day: BHA engineers Megan Ryder, Josefine Eskildsen and Gretchn Waning are excellent examples of the many talented women who are making a difference in the field of engineering. Their contributions to the field of motorsports have helped to inspire and motivate other women to pursue careers in this exciting and challenging field. Our partners at Hyundai encourage women who aspire to have careers in technical fields with their annual Women in STEM Scholarship. Applicants must apply by June 30th at Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship .

Getting Hectic: The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season is about to heat up with three races in the next five weeks.

Nürburgring Recap: Hyundai’s team USA had a grand finale to their Journey to the Ring with their second place finish in one of the world’s biggest events. Stay tuned for Hyundai’s upcoming episode of Next Level for the exciting recap.

 

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

2023 Stats: Best Start: 8th Best Finish: 6th Rank: 6th 740 pts
Taylor Hagler: “Watkins Glen International is a special place. This is where the momentum of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season really starts. I’ve been racing a lot in Europe the last several months, so I’ve been keeping busy and learning a lot, but I am looking forward to getting back in the No. 1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR and getting a good result for the Bryan Herta Autosport team.”
Michael Lewis: “What a track. Watkins Glen is fast, flowing, and provides great racing. It’s in such a beautiful area too. It feels great to drive at this facility every single time. I can’t wait to get out there.”

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 3rd Best Finish: 2nd Rank: 2nd 890 pts
Harry Gottsacker IV: “It’s been a while since we’ve been in the #33, but we are looking to keep pushing and capture our first victory of the season. We have had strong runs at the last two events and we just need everything to go our way. The performance is there, we are looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Robert Wickens: “Harry and I are coming off a string of second place finishes and the #33 team is performing well. We had a very strong car at The Glen last year, so I think we’ve got a good shot at scoring our first win of the season.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 1st Rank: 1st – 950 pts
Mason Filippi: “Back to the glen! I can’t wait to get racing again after a chaotic and successful streak of racing from Laguna Seca to Germany. It will be fantastic to get back behind the wheel of our #98 Elantra N TCR car. Watkins has been good to us, and I am excited to take the momentum forward through the summer season. Getting through the bus stop and around the carousel as well as the final two corners are some of my favorite sections of track on the schedule.”
Mark Wilkins: “The heart of the racing season is upon us! Mason and I have had a dream start to our season with three podiums including a victory at Hyundai’s home race at Laguna Seca, but this is racing and we expect it won’t all be smooth sailing. Watkins Glen and CTMP are two of my personal favourites and both were good to Robert and I last year so I’m feeling confident Mason and I will have a car to compete for the win! Diving into the busy part of the season means we get a chance to get in a groove and I’m just really excited to be in the car so frequently over the next few months! I can’t speak to it yet but I’m absolutely elated to be adding a race to the schedule this summer and I can’t wait to share that news in the coming weeks! As far as Watkins Glen goals go, obviously we would love to keep our podium streak alive to kick off the big summer push on a high. Huge Thanks to our crew working hard at the shop to give Mason and I a fantastic Elantra N TCR! Let’s keep pushing!”
Executives from Hyundai Motor America join second place finishers Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens and race winners Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi on the podium at Hyundai’s home race, the Motul Sports Car Championship Powered by Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, May 13, 2023
Points leader Mason Filippi (L) and Mark Wilkins (R) celebrate their first victory as co-drivers and BHA’s first win of the season at the Motul Sports Car Championship Powered by Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on May 13, 2023.
Above: Members of the Bryan Herta Autosport team on the grid (class pole position) at the Nurburgring 24 on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Katie Brannan

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