Gottsacker looks for repeat victory at Laguna Seca
Just Six Months Ago: The Bryan Herta Autosport team swept the podium at Hyundai’s home race at Laguna Seca. Mark Wilkins and Harry Gottsacker won the event in the Elantra N TCR, while Elantra teammates Parker Chase and Ryan Norman finished second with Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis bringing the Veloster N TCR home in third.
2-for-2 in 22: The #77 team of Tyler Maxson and Mason Filippi have experienced the highs and the lows of racing so far in 2022. Maxson won the pole at Daytona in his first race with BHA and teammate Filippi backed that up with the pole at Sebring. They’ve proven they are quick but have yet to take the checkered flag in 2022. They had a mechanical issue at Daytona and Filippi was involved in heavy crash with Kyle Marcelli at Sebring, which left both cars beyond repair. The Elantra N TCR cars come from Europe and delays in shipping forced the team to bring back the Veloster N TCR for the #77 team at Laguna and Mid-Ohio. Not a bad plan B, the Veloster has won 12 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races since its IMSA debut in 2019.
Special Duties: The #2 Elantra N TCR team of AJ Muss and Ryan Norman welcome professional skater Sean Malto to the team at Laguna. A guest of Hyundai, Malto will handle the sign board duties in the pitstops for the #2 team on Saturday.
N Performance Academy: Hyundai is offering race fans and enthusiasts a once in a lifetime opportunity to test the performance of their N models at the N Performance Academy at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, May 7th & 8th. Produced by Hyundai partner team, Bryan Herta Autosport, N Performance Academy was created for car enthusiasts to develop comfort and confidence behind the wheel. Nearly 200 guests have registered for the two-day event. The action-packed driving experience will include laps on the dynamic 2.2-mile road course which features 11 turns, including the famous “Corkscrew”. In addition to the track laps, participants will challenge the N models and develop their technique and abilities with an Autocross course.
After honing their skills on the track, participants can compare their driving line with professional Hyundai race car drivers Mason Filippi and Michael Lewis. Filippi and Lewis will be on hand for rides and driving tips.
The Closer: With a pair of second place finishes to their name in 2022, 2021 IMPC TCR Champions Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis lead the points standings. Their transition to the Elantra N TCR this season has been seamless, and the racing has been exciting. Hagler has raced to the top-five in both events before turning the reigns over to Lewis, whose battles for the podium have been nothing short of epic. Lewis mastered his craft from a diverse pedigree of racing environments. The series’ first two-time champion got his start dirt racing, moved to Europe to race F3, tested a Formula One car, and has raced a variety of sports cars in IMSA and SRO. Hagler and Lewis currently hold a 90-point lead in the series standings.
Baby Boom: Mark Wilkins and his wife, Leah, welcomed their third child and first girl, Maisie Ann on April 17th. Robert Wickens and his wife Karli are expecting their first child, a boy in early July.
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