Four Hyundai racers finish in the top-five at VIR
- Stephen Simpson and Michael Johnson finish in second place in the #54 Universal Coating Hyundai Veloster N TCR race car
- Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins finish in third in the #33 Elantra N TCR race car
Alton, Va., Oct. 11, 2021 – Stephen Simpson and Michael Johnson raced to second place in the #54 Universal Coating Hyundai Veloster N TCR race car at the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix Sunday at Virginia International Raceway, moving all the way up from a ninth-place start.
Stephen Simpson and Michael Johnson on the podium at the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
Simpson and Johnson piloted the top finishing Hyundai race car, followed by teammates Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins in third. Sixteen-year-old, Tyler Gonzalez and seventeen-year-old, Tyler Maxson finished fourth in their Veloster N TCR race car. The series points leaders, Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis, rounded out the top five, extending their championship margin.
“We are thrilled to be back on the podium. Our Veloster N TCR was strong out there. Both Stephen (Simpson) and I passed a lot of cars today and second place is a great reward,” said Michael Johnson, a driver who joined the Hyundai squad this season with co-driver Simpson.
It was the second podium appearance of the year for Johnson and Simpson, who opened the season with a third-place finish at Daytona International Raceway, Hyundai’s first podium finish at that track.
Next up, Hyundai is looking to secure its third straight IMSA team and drivers’ championship and second consecutive manufacturers title at the 2021 Michelin Pilot Challenge season finale. The Fox Factory 120 takes place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. For more information about the race visit bryanhertaautosport.com.
Hyundai Finishing Results
| Position | Drivers | Team | Car |
| 2 | M. Johnson / S. Simpson | Bryan Herta Autosport | #54 Veloster N TCR |
| 3 | H. Gottsacker / M. Wilkins | Bryan Herta Autosport | #33 Elantra N TCR |
| 4 | T. Maxson / T. Gonzalez | Copeland Motorsports | #27 Veloster N TCR |
| 5 | T. Hagler / M. Lewis | Bryan Herta Autosport | #77 Veloster N TCR |
| 9 | R. van der Steur / D. Dupont | Van der Steur Racing | #19 Veloster N TCR |
| 11 | P. Chase / R. Norman | Bryan Herta Autosport | #98 Elantra N TCR |
| 1 | A. Muss / M. Filippi | Copeland Motorsports | #51 Veloster N TCR |
Sixteen-year-old, Tyler Gonzalez and seventeen-year-old, Tyler Maxson execute their driver change in the #27 Veloster N TCR race car at the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., Sunday, October 10, 2021. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
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