In the News, Michelin Pilot Challenge

Gottsacker and Wickens Take Points Lead to the Final Three

Posted on by Katie Brannan
25
Aug

Virginia is for Racing Lovers 120

Round 7 of the 2023 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge

August 25-26, 2023

Racetrack: Virginia International Raceway

3.27-mile road course, features 17 turns

Race: Saturday, August 26th, 2023, at 5:10 – 7:10 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:

Keys to Consistency: Having finished on the podium in five of seven races this season, Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens, the drivers of the #33 carry an 80-point lead in the series standings heading in to the eighth round of the 2023 championship. Proving consistency pays off, the pair have more podium finishes than any other driver combination but are also the only drivers inside the top four in the series standings without a victory this season.

2X VIR Winner: Michael Lewis has enjoyed more success at VIR than any other Hyundai driver, having won twice at the nostalgic circuit. Lewis first won with co-driver Mason Filippi in 2020 and won again en route to his third TCR title in 2022 with co-driver Taylor Hagler.

The Hunt: The battle for the manufacturers’ title is on with Hyundai leading by 20 points over Audi, followed by Alfa Romeo and Honda.

Record Setters: Mark Wilkins is IMSA’s active TCR drivers with the most victories. Wilkins won for the 10th time at Lime Rock Park last month, and he sits just one win behind the series’ driver with the most wins overall, Tom Long. Harry Gottsacker extended his record for series poles with his seventh TCR pole last month at Road America.

Previously at VIR: BHA has seven podium finishes at VIR, including two victories. Mark Wilkins (2019) and Harry Gottsacker (2021) have both started from pole position at VIR.

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 6th Rank: 8th 1660 pts
Taylor Hagler: “With three races left in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Season, I am looking forward to returning to VIR where Michael and I won last year. Returning to a track where you been successful is exciting becuase you want to replicate what you know can happen there. My focus is on how we can best perform this weekend and do what we know we can do – stand on the podium!”
Michael Lewis: “VIR is such an awesome track. I’ve been there a lot since the start of my career and each year I’ve grown to love the track more and more. It honestly feels kind of like a home track. For the fans as well it is such a great facility as there are many cool viewing spots. I like watching the T3-T5 complex. You can basically touch the cars as they go by and there’s a lot of hard racing that happens there. Check out our Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR race cars if you are there!”

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 1st Best Finish: 2nd Rank: 1st 2090 pts
Harry Gottsacker IV: “We have been putting together a string of good runs and have taken the points lead after Road America. Our goals haven’t changed as we’re going to keep trying to maximize our weekends and keep the podium streak alive. VIR is a track that I enjoy and have had success at in multiple categories.”
Robert Wickens: “We are getting into the final stretch of the season, and we are right where we want to be. The whole BHA team has been working hard all season to maximize each weekend. VIR will be a challenge, but we are ready for it.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 5th Best Finish: 1st Rank: 3rd 2000 pts
Mason Filippi: “I am extremely excited for VIR. It is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule which brings awesome races, tight battles and treats our Elantra N TCR machines well in the esses. It was tough at Road America, but Mark and I are more motivated than ever to come back strong with our 98 crew.”
Mark Wilkins: “Ready for redemption at VIR this weekend. Perhaps the toughest race of the season for me last year, I’m excited to get back to VIR and give it another go! This track suits our car and as a team we have performed very well here over the years. It’s always HOT at VIR and I expect that will play a factor in how the race unfolds on Saturday. Final three races of the season; ready to tackle it head on!”

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Katie Brannan

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