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Filippi and Wilkins Finish Second and Push Hyundai to the Top of the Manufacturers’ Standings at Road America

Posted on by Katie Brannan
05
Aug

Hyundai assume the Manufacturers’ Championship lead in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Championship (IMPC) with a podium from the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

· The No. 98 car drivers Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi secure their third podium of the 2024 IMPC season

· Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) raise $2,900 for Hyundai Hope on Wheels after leading 29 laps

· Hyundai drivers raise $2,900 for Hyundai Hope on Wheels after leading 29 laps

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 5, 2024 – Hyundai has taken control of the Manufacturers’ Championship in the 2024 IMPC series after an exceptional podium drive at Road America from Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi in their No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. After trailing for the first six rounds of the 2024 IMPC campaign, Hyundai now holds a 20-point lead over the competition heading into the season’s final three races.

After starting in second place, driver Mason Filippi was quick to find pace at the legendary Wisconsin road course, as both the No. 98 and No. 33 BHA team cars battled for the lead in the opening stages of the 120-minute race. After an hour of racing, a caution brought both cars into the pits for fuel and a driver change. However, a drive-through penalty from the pitstop for the No. 33 car forced Robert Wickens out of the battle for the lead as Mark Wilkins took over in the No. 98. Wilkins settled in quickly, finding solid pace and moving the No. 98 car into fourth position. Fueling strategy came into play during the closing laps as fuel issues among the TCR front runners allowed Wilkins to grab second place on the final lap of the race, capturing the Manufacturer’s Championship lead for Hyundai.

The No. 76 car driven by Preston Brown and Denis Dupont once again showed strong pace as the driver duo found themselves leading the race in the closing stages after starting in sixth. However, low fuel in the closing stint caused the team to lose the race lead on the last lap, finishing tenth.

The No. 77 car of Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris crossed the line in sixth as the driver pairing continue a streak of impressive performances.

Following the seventh round of IMPC competition, Hyundai now leads the Manufacturers’ Championship by 20 points. Up next, the Hyundai stable of racers is set to take on Virginia International Raceway on Aug. 24, 2024.

Photos and Quotes Below
The #76 Elantra N TCR (top) and the #98 Elantra N TCR race at Road America on Saturday, August 5, 2024.

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 CHAMPIONS

Started: 3rd Finished: 7th 2024 Rank: 3rd (1980pts)

Harry Gottsacker: “It’s always great being back in Elkhart Lake, but didn’t quite get the finish we expected. The team gave us a great car and we had good pace in qualifying and during the race. We are focused on collecting more wins over the next three races and fighting for the championship.”

 
Robert Wickens: “Really tough race for us at Road America. Harry did an amazing job getting us into the lead early on, but unfortunately, we had a mishap during our first stop which left us with a drive through penalty and hoping for a yellow to bring us back into contention. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, which is the most important thing and we will regroup and be stronger at VIR.”

#76 Elantra N TCR

Started: 6th Finish: 10th 2024 Rank: 2nd (1990pts)
Denis Dupont: “We had a very strong weekend that didn’t materialize. Preston did a great job qualiyfing and a strong first stint. We were leading the race with a fuel saving strategy, but a late yellow flag closed our window to box and we were only left to try and make it to the end, which didn’t work. Despite this, the team did an amazing job, giving us a very fast car for the race. We will come back strong.”

 
Preston Brown: “Denis and I had a very solid race at Road America. I had my best qualifying result to date and we were confident going into the race that we were on track for a podium finish. Unfortunately, our fuel strategy coupled wtih a very short late race yellow led us to being in a tough position, that if we pitted for fuel we would fall to the back, and if we tried to stretch our fuel, we risked running out, which is of course what happened on the last lap. Dropping from 1st to 10th was tough. Lesson learned, we will be back ready to give it everything we’ve got at VIR in a few weeks.”

 

#77 Elantra N TCR

Started: 5th Finished: 6th 2024 Rank: 7th (1690pts)
Taylor Hagler: “Overall, it was a strong weekend in Elkhart Lake. Road America always poses a challenge for fuel strategy with how long the course is. The No. 77 BHA team called a good strategy today and executed well on pit lane to put us in a good position towards the end of the race. We are focused on putting together a complete weekend to get back on the podium!”
Bryson Morris: “It was a great weekend at Road America for the #77 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, showing great pace and racing at the front of the field. We’ve got the car dialed in and feeling good, now all we need is a bit of luck and we’ll be on the podium. Huge thanks to everyone at BHA for doing such a great job and we’ll continue this momentum at VIR.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

Started: 2nd Finished: 2nd 2024 Rank: 4th (1920)
Mason Filippi: “P.2 at Road America! It was a tough race that had a lot of strategy involved. Mark had a killer second stint with tough battles through the second half. We are ready to fight for the rest of the year and continue to build our manufacturers points. Looking forward to VIR, one of my favorite tracks on the schedule!”
Mark Wilkins: “This might be the best feeling second place finish I can remember! So many positives… we led lots of laps for Hyundai Hope on Wheels, we gained points in the manufacturers championship, we’re back in the mix driver championship wise and we got some Road America redemption after last years heartbreaker. We’ve had a few tough races of late but I appreciate how our group came together, worked through it and kept pushing! Three to go and lots to play for. I’m excited; we are well and truly in the thick of the championship fight and we have momentum to carry into VIR in a few weeks!”

 
Katie Brannan

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