Hyundai Earns Double Podium-Finish in Sebring

Hyundai Earns Double Podium-Finish in Sebring

· Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker Collect Second-Place Finish for Hyundai

 

· Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi Gain Key Championship Points with Third-Place Result

 

Fountain Valley, CA March 18, 2023 – Hyundai captured two positions on the podium following the first sprint race of the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season at Sebring International Raceway. Bryan Herta Autosport’s (BHA) Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker in the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR claimed second position while Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi rounded out the podium with a third-place finish, the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR pairing’s second podium in a row. In a caution-filled event, the reigning IMPC championship team of Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler fought their way into a top-five result.

 

The Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 saw the return of van der Steur Racing and the No. 91 Hyundai Elantra N TCR – piloted by Tyler Maxson and Bryan Ortiz – and the co-drivers delivered a finish in sixth. Thursday’s race at Sebring International Raceway brought a bit of a challenging race for the Deily Motorsports No. 74 Hyundai Elantra N TCR finishing in tenth while the No.70 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, piloted by Jacob Deily and Cabot Bigham, was involved in an on-track incident towards the opening minutes of the two-hour race, ending their day early.

 

· Top Finishing Hyundai: Second place for the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker

 

· Top Qualifying Hyundai: Third place for the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins

-HMA-

Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, drivers No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport, along with Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi, drivers of the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport, celebrate on the podium in second and thrid place respectively for the Alan Jay Automotive Group 120 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., Mar. 16, 2023 (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

Hyundai Finishing Results

Position Drivers Team Car

2 R. Wickens / H. Gottsacker BHA #33 Elantra N TCR

 

3 M. Wilkins / M. Filippi BHA #98 Elantra N TCR

 

5 M. Lewis / T. Hagler BHA #1 Elantra N TCR

 

6 T. Maxson / B. Ortiz van der Steur #91 Elantra N TCR

Racing

 

10 N. Stacy / J. Vance Deily Motorsports #74 Elantra N TCR

 

15 J. Deily / C. Bigham Deily Motorsports #70 Elantra N TCR

 

Hyundai Championship Standings

Position Drivers Team Car Total Points

2 M. Wilkins BHA #98 Elantra N TCR 600

M. Filippi

3 R. Wickens BHA #33 Elantra N TCR 570

H. Gottsacker

6 T. Maxson  van der Steur #91 Elantra N TCR 530

Racing

8 M. Lewis BHA #1 Elantra N TCR 490

T. Hagler

 

10 J. Deily Deily #70 Elantra N TCR 440

  Motorsports

 

16 C. Bigham Deily #70 Elantra N TCR 570

Motorsports

17 B. Ortiz van der Steur #91 Elantra N TCR 250

Racing

18 N. Stacy Deily #74 Elantra N TCR 210

J. Vance Motorsports

 

IMSA TCR Manufacturer Standings

Position Manufacturer Total Points

1 Audi 630

2 Alfa Romeo 630

3 Honda 620

4 Hyundai 620

The No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi of Bryan Herta Autosport compete in the Alan Jay Automotive Group 120 at Sbering International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., Mar. 16, 2023 (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

The No. 1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, driven by Bryan Herta Autosport drivers Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler, on track during the Alan Jay Automotive Group 120 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., Mar.. 16, 2023 (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

Started: 12th Finished: 5th Rank: 8th (490 pts.)

Taylor Hagler: “It’s nice to come away from Sebring with a top five, but it wasn’t the podium we were hoping for. I was happy with my stint as I moved up a number of positions and avoided the incidents throughout the race. It feels great to rebound from our issues at Daytona and this upswing of progress will be something we want to continue at Laguna Seca.” 

Michael Lewis: “Sebring was intense with all the re-starts. The competition was close and that’s what makes it fun out there. I am bummed we couldn’t have more green flag laps as our #1 BHA Hyundai Elantra N was super-fast. It was cool to see Robbie battle it out for the win. We were cheering for him!”

#33 Elantra N TCR

Started: 4th Finished: 3rd Rank: 3rd (570 pts.)

Harry Gottsacker IV: “Overall it was a great points day for us and we locked in our first podium finish of the season, so I can’t complain too much. I’m just looking forward to the next one at Laguna Seca and in the meantime, logging a whole bunch of miles at The Ring (Nürburgring) in the VLN and qualifying races.”

Robert Wickens: “Harry did a great job. It was a very disruptive opening stint but Harry kept his cool and got us track position. It was a big team effort. We didn’t have a car to finish on the podium and we ended up getting two BHA Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars to the front. I’m a little gutted we missed the win there, but that’s racing and one day the luck will turn in our favor.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

Started: 3rd Finished: 3rd Rank: 1st (tied 600pts.)

Mason Filippi: “It was pretty chaotic, almost like a video game out there…stuff was happening everywhere. I was glad we started up front, and our pitstops were fast and once again, Mark killed it at the end. He’s an awesome teammate and I’m really happy with how we work together and the way our season has started. Now, I’m turning my focus back to Germany as we hustle back to The Ring for our first VLN race!”

Mark Wilkins: “Another great result. Two podiums, two third place finishes to start our season. It’s all about consistency, it’s all about the Championship and it starts here. We’ve got to run strong, and we’ve got to run consistently and so far we’re executing the plan quite well.”

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on ‘Progress for Humanity’ and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

 

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Hyundai Media Contact:

Miles Johnson

(714) 366-1048

milesjohnson@hmausa.com

 

 

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