Round 10 of 10 of the 2023 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge
October 12-13, 2023
Racetrack: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
2.54-mile road course, features 12 turns
Race: Friday, October 13th, 2023, at 12:25 – 2:25 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:
Michael Lewis/Bryson Morris: Michael Lewis will not compete at Road Atlanta due to an injury sustained in the closing laps of IMPC’s previous round at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. American Sports Car and Open Wheel stand out Bryson Miller will co-drive the #1 Elantra N TCR with Taylor Hagler in this week’s finale. Miller, 19, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee competes full time in the Michelin Le Mans Cup Series and the Formula Regional Americas Series.
The Championship Chase: Bryan Herta Autosport seeks its fifth straight TCR title this week since joining IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge with Hyundai in 2019. Two of the team s’ three entries are in title contention, Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens are the series leaders (+20 points) in the #33 Elantra N TCR, while Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins are third (-70) in the #98 Elantra N TCR.
2019 Champions: Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins, #98 Veloster N TCR
2020 Champions: Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman, #33 Veloster N TCR
2021 Champions: Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis, #77 Veloster N TCR
2022 Champions: Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis, #1 Elantra N TCR
How They Got There, Consistency is Key: BHA has recorded just two wins this season, fewer than any previous IMPC Season. Consistency is what has taken them to the front of this year’s championship chase. Points leaders Gottsacker and Wickens have yet to score a victory in 2023, but they have set a new IMPC record for the most second place finishes in a single season (7) and they’ve missed the podium just twice in nine races. Filippi and Wilkens are two-time winners in 2023 and have also finished on the podium in seven races thus far.
What It’s Going to Take to Clinch: For the No. 33 to secure the title, the simplest path is to finish ahead of the No. 17 and no worse than eighth overall in TCR. For Filippi, Wilkins and the No. 98 Hyundai, it’s pretty clear cut. They must win and have the other two contenders finish ninth or lower in the 13-car TCR field.
Adapted: It’s been just 19 races since Robert Wickens raced with hand controls for the first time. What seems unfathomable to most has been nearly seamless for Wickens. He has a 52% podium rate, and he enters his 20th… leading the championship alongside co-driver Harry Gottsacker.
Raising More $$$ at Road Atlanta: The #33 debuted its special livery commemorating Hyundai Hope On Wheel’s 25th anniversary at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Championship front-runner will show it again this week at Road Atlanta and Hyundai will once again donate $100 for every lap led by a Hyundai TCR car in the Fox Factory 120. The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation will be the beneficiary of this week’s success. Hyundai donated $10,800 to the Rileys Childrens Hospital in Indianapolis after Hyundais led 108 laps in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 240.
HHOW 25 Years: Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing critical research aimed at improving treatments and saving lives. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country. For every new Hyundai vehicle sold, Hyundai and its dealers make a donation to Hyundai Hope On Wheels. In 2023, Hyundai Hope On Wheels was awarded $25 million in research grants, bringing the organization’s lifetime donation total to $225 million.
#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR
2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS
2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 5th Rank: 5th 2180 pts
Bryson Morris is subbing for Michael Lewis at Road Atlanta
Taylor Hagler: “It has been a difficult season for the #1 and we are really going to miss Michael at Road Atlanta. We have shared some great moments there over the years as co-drivers. I appreciate Bryson stepping in on short notice as we continue to help Hyundai battle for the Manufacturer championship. We’re going to push hard in the race on Friday to try and finish strong.”
Bryson Morris: “I am very excited to be joining Bryan Herta Autosport for the finale of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. I know it will be a challenge as it is my first time in a TCR car, but I know Road Atlanta very well and I am confident that we will do a good job. I want to wish Michael (Lewis) a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on track soon.”
#33 Elantra N TCR
2023 Stats: Best Start: 1st Best Finish: 2nd Rank: 1st 2730 pts
Harry Gottsacker IV: “It is the most important weekend of the year at Road Atlanta. If we win the race, the championship is taken care of for us. It’s been great being at BHA and Hyundai as manufacturers champions, but we want this championship for our #33 bunch. We’ve been working really hard for this for a long time and I’m excited to see where we are at after 2 hours on Friday in Atlanta.”
Robert Wickens: “It is going down to the wire this weekend. The goal at the beginning of the season was to challenge for the championship and have been doing just that all season long. We are going into the season finale as the points leaders so the target is pretty clear. We have been doing everything right this year, as long as we can have the same approach this weekend we will be in good shape.”
#98 Elantra N TCR
2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 1st Rank: 3rd 2600 pts
Mason Filippi: “I am looking forward to the finale in Atlanta! It is one of my favorite tracks to race. There is a tight championship battle and we are going to push hard for the manufacturer championship. Mark and I have had a great season and we are looking to push hard for a win at one of our favorite tracks. I can’t wait to carry the momentum from the previous races to Atlanta. With a little bit of weather, it will be epic to utilize the Elantra N’s handling characteristics.”
Mark Wilkins: “It has been a really strong season for BHA with plenty of highlights! For Mason and I, the two wins are the memorable moments but also the solid run of podiums. It all boils down to this final race of the season and it’s going to be a challenge. Our main goal is always to capture the manufacturers championship for Hyundai so we’ll be pushing hard for that! We expect steep competition like we’ve faced all season long; it won’t be easy but Road Atlanta has traditionally been a good track for us so I’m excited for the challenge! I’m very much looking forward to ending the season on a high note!”
