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Watkins Glen Fast Facts

Posted on by Katie Brannan

The Esses 120 at Watkins Glen

June 19-22, 2024

Racetrack: Watkins Glen International

3.4-mile road course, features 11 turns

Race: Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 12:55pm PST (2- Hour Race)

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:

A Look Back: It was a sunny day at Watkins Glen International Raceway just two years ago when Robert Wickens took his first TCR win in just his fifth race using hand controls.

Maiden Victory: Preston Brown and Denis Dupont score their first TCR victory two weeks ago with their win in the #76 Elantra N TCR at Mid Ohio. The pair are second in the points standings. It was also BHA’s first IMSA win of the season, and second TCR victory in 2024. The first came earlier this month at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring when Bryson Morris, Harry Gottsacker, Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins took the TCR class win in the #831 Elantra N TCR.

1701 Miles West: The BHA Pikes Peak team is making their debut on America’s Mountain with drivers WRC regular Dani Sordo, media personality and racer Ron Zaras and Pikes Peak winner Randy Pobst driving Hyundai’s award winning electric IONIQ 5 N. #198 Sordo and Pobst in the #49 are driving the IONIQ 5 N TC Spec while Zaras is competing in the #13 IONIQ 5 N production model. Sordo is in the prestigious “Fast 15,” having qualified eighth overall and the fastest in the exhibition class at 4:01.514.

Live streaming from Sunday’s 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb can be found here Mobil 1 – YouTube and live timing:PIKES PEAK LOWER SECTION FRI PRACTICE (livetiming.net)

HHOW: Hyundai Hope On Wheels  has pledged to donate $100 for every lap a Hyundai Elantra N TCR leads during every race of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season. Roswell Park Oishei Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at Watkins Glen. 2024 Season Tally: $10,200 (Daytona: $1200, Sebring: $2100, Laguna Seca $2300, and Mid Ohio 44).

Photos and Quotes Below
The #76 Elantra N TCR team celebrates their maiden victory with drivers Preston Brown and Denis Dupont at Mid Ohio on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
The IONIQ 5 N TC Spec leads the IONIQ 5 N on Pikes Peak

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 CHAMPIONS

2024 Best Start:1st 2024 Best Finish: 3rd (Sebring) 2024 Rank: 3rd (1070pts)

Harry Gottsacker: “We have really unlocked a lot of potential in the setup of our #33 over the past few races, and we’re looking forward to continuing that development at Watkins Glen. It is more important than ever that we keep putting ourselves in the right position to capitalize on strategy and speed to get our first win of the season. Leading a bunch of laps on the way for the Hyundai Hope on Wheels program is just an added bonus!””

 
Robert Wickens: “This is such a fun part of the Michelin Pilot Challenge calendar. We are slowing working our way forward in the championship and the #33 Elantra N TCR car is looking to get back on the podium! Watkins Glen is such an awesome venue! Personally, it’s my favorite track in North America, and I hope we can get ourselves a win to sign off on the first half of the 2024 season. Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to raise money for local pediatric hospitals by donating $100 for every lap led by a Hyundai. Let’s keep adding to that total this weekend!”

#76 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 13th 2024 Best Finish: 1st (Mid-Ohio) 2024 Rank: 2nd (1180pts)
Denis Dupont: “I’m excited to go to surely one of the most exciting tracks on the calendar. We are coming with strong momentum following our race win at Mid Ohio. Now it gives us a new opportunity. We’ll have to focus on the small details and margins to make sure we have a strong weekend.”

 
Preston Brown: “Watkins Glen is a personal favorite of mine, with the significant elevation changes and variety of corner types. I feel like we are getting into a rhythm now that we have almost reached the halfway point of the season, but I don’t take anything for granted. This is going to be a very hard and very hot race. It’s going to require fast and mistake-free execution from everyone on the team to secure us a spot on the podium.”

#77 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 4th 2024 Best Finish: 8th 2024 Rank: 7th (900pts)
Taylor Hagler: “With a quick turnaround to Watkins Glen, I am focused on the race this weekend. Our goal is to have a strong, clean race and The Glen is the perfect place for that with flowing long corners that suit the Hyundai Elantra N TCR well. The energy around this track is special and the fans always turn out. Ready to get the race weekend started!”
Bryson Morris: “Excited to get going at Watkins Glen with double duty after our short break! It is one of my favorite tracks on the calendar, and with good pace from Mid Ohio I am sure we will be competitive for a win with a little bit of luck!”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 4th 2024 Best Finish: 3rd (Daytona) 2024 Rank: 4th (1060)
Mason Filippi: “Watkins Glen is one of my favorites on the schedule. After Mid Ohio we are looking to get back on the steps. Mark and I stood on the podium once together at Watkins Glen, racing against each other in 2018. I’m looking forward to the hot weather and high-speed corners while cheering on our teammates at Pikes Peak!”
Mark Wilkins: “Mid Ohio was a really strong event for us on the 98. We showed solid pace and were in a position to win but it wasn’t meant to be. This weekend we get a shot at redemption! So many great memories from Watkins Glen. I have had some great wins here including with Robert in 2022 and going back to 2008 in Daytona Prototype. There have also been some tough Watkins races in years past as well; definitely a circuit that has rewarded massively or been quite challenging. We’re approaching the midway point of the season, and the championship is very close. There is lots to play for and if we can find consistency and the top step moving forward, we’ll be in good shape. Mason and I are excited to get the weekend started and look forward to leading some more laps for Hyundai Hope on Wheels! We’ll keep pushing!”
Katie Brannan

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