In the News, Michelin Pilot Challenge

BHA Entries Tied for Points Lead After The Glen

Posted on by Katie Brannan
27
Jun

The Sahlen’s 120 at The Glen

* Bryan Herta Autosport Teammates Wickens and Gottsacker Round Out Top Five

* Drivers’ Championship Points Standings Now Tied Between the No. 98 Elantra N TCR and No.

33 Elantra N TCR

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 26, 2023 – The Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) team faced an eventful weekend at Watkins Glen International raceway in historic upstate New York. The reigning IMPC Champions Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler briefly took the lead in the No. 1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR after an unfortunate off-track incident involving the No. 15 Audi. However, a series of maneuvers during the restart pushed Lewis back to third place. As the race progressed, Lewis made contact with the No. 37 Honda, resulting in a drive-through penalty and ultimately ending their otherwise promising day.

BHA teammates Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, in the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, overcame early challenges such as a tire puncture and a drive-through penalty to finish the race in a commendable fifth position.

Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi also faced difficulties throughout the weekend, and unfortunately, their No. 98 BHA entry retired prematurely, just five laps shy of the checkered flag, due to race-ending damage. As a result, the IMPC TCR Drivers’ Championship has become a fiercely contested battle, with both the No. 33 Elantra N TCR pairing of Wickens and Gottsacker and the No. 98 Elantra N TCR pairing of Wilkins and Filippi now tied for the points lead.

Looking ahead, Hyundai Motor America is gearing up for the next round of the IMPC schedule at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 on Saturday, July 8th, 2023.

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

Started: 7th Finished: 9th Rank: 7th 960 pts
Taylor Hagler: “The race in Watkins Glen didn’t end as we had hoped, but that’s racing. We had everything thrown at us this weekend, from a brake issue in practice to the torrential downpour before the race. As the rain cleared, I wasn’t too worried about track conditions because the racing line was going to be the first thing to dry up. I felt very confident in my stint – the No. 1 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR felt stable and fast. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to keep that momentum and get the win today.”
Michael Lewis: “The car was great, the team performed so well, and we had a great strategy. I just got caught up in heavy traffic and made contact that put us out of contention. It was a mega effort and the team put me in position to bring it home in a good place. On to the next one.”

#33 Elantra N TCR

Started: 5th Finished: 5th Rank: 1st -tied 1150 pts
Harry Gottsacker IV: “We didn’t have quite the weekend we were hoping for at Watkins Glen. I felt like our stint to start the race was good, but the flat tire really derailed our day and got us off strategy. Robert and I will regroup with the team and work to have a strong run in Canada.”
Robert Wickens: “Not the weekend we had hoped for, but thankfully we were able to take home a top 5. It was a pretty up and down day, but Harry did a great job in the tricky conditions at the beginning of the race, he kept his cool. His laps after our puncture were very impressive and he gave me the car with a chance to fight for the win. Ultimately a small mistake in our driver change handed us a drive through penalty so we were up against it for the final stints of the race. I had a lot of good hard racing to get back into the top 5 and we have a lot of positives to take way for the next races as we get close to the half way point of the championship ”

#98 Elantra N TCR

Started: 5th Finished: 11th Rank: 1st – tied 1150 pts
Mason Filippi: “Watkins Glen was a tough race for us but Mark and I are really excited to take what we did learn from the weekend and apply to MoSport in a couple of weeks. We had awesome pace in mixed conditions and we are ready for whatever is thrown at us for the rest of the season.”
Mark Wilkins: “What a tough weekend. After three incredible results we had high hopes for continued success but racing always has a way of reminding us how difficult it can be. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to click and we just weren’t really in the thick of the battle when it mattered. Mason drove a really solid first stint in challenging conditions. I did my best to move up but after contact with one of the sign boards we incurred damage that limited us to a P10 result. We will re-group and look for redemption at CTMP next week! Thanks to our crew for all of their hard work. We’ll get them at the next one!”
The #33 Elantra N TCR driven by Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens finished fifth at Watkins Glen International Raceway in the Sahlens 120 on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Above:The #98 Elantra N TCR at Watkins Glen International Raceway.
Katie Brannan

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