- Hyundai expands its 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Championship (IMPC) Manufacturers’ Championship lead after a stunning 1-2 finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS)
- Drivers Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins earn their first win of the 2024 IMPC season in spectacular fashion
- Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) raise $6,700 for Hyundai Hope On Wheels by leading 67 laps
- Bosch unveils next-generation hand controls with paraplegic driver Robert Wickens
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 – Hyundai has grown its Manufacturers’ Championship lead after an incredible win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins in their No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. This win at the Battle on the Bricks is the manufacturer’s third victory of the season. Drivers Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens claimed the second step of the podium in the No. 33 entry to complete Hyundai’s one-two finish at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In addition to these stellar results, Bosch unveiled a new hand control system for Robert Wickens. The redesigned system allows for “more consistency across the application of brakes, faster response rates and advanced diagnostics for safety,” according to Bosch. The new hardware reduces friction and allows Wickens to rely more on his own power to apply the brakes while providing increased precision. Wickens explains the specifics of the new Bosch hand control system in a video hosted on IMSA’s YouTube page.
No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR drivers Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins kiss the famous bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
Hand controls in the No. 33 car driven by Robert Wickens are photographed during Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 Weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
After a red flag during qualifying prevented the No. 98 car from setting a time, the driver duo started the race from back of the TCR grid. Despite this setback, Mark Wilkins quickly found pace around the historic track, knifing through the field in the race’s early stages, bringing the No. 98 car towards the front of the field. After a strategic decision to stay out during a caution allowed his team to inherit the lead, Wilkins eventually pitted while first, handing the car over to Mason Filippi to complete the final leg of the race.
Filippi was immediately up to speed. Not only did he maintain the lead after the pitting, he built a large gap over the rest of the TCR field. Despite this buffer, a dramatic closing stint ensued, as it wasn’t guaranteed that the No. 98 had enough fuel to complete the 120-minute sprint. Filippi would ultimately persevere and take the checkered flag after 30 minutes of fuel saving, securing the No. 98 drivers their first victory of the 2024 IMPC campaign.
Similar to the No. 98 car, the shortened qualifying session saw drivers Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens start 11th in the 13-car field in their No. 33 car. Gottsacker made impressive progress during his opening stint, holding the car at the front of the field after following the same strategy as No. 98. A long pitstop during the driver change cut into the team’s progress, but Wickens was quick to recover as he set blistering lap times. Like the No. 98 car, the one-stop strategy forced Wickens to conserve fuel, but he managed the closing laps of the race expertly to bring home second place, improving the duo’s standings in the Drivers’ Championship by shrinking the gap in the standings to a mere 150-point deficit to first place.
After starting in second-to-last place, drivers Bryson Morris and Taylor Hagler had their work cut out for them in the No. 77 car. Hagler opened the race and continued to show the strong pace of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR as she joined her teammates at the end of the TCR field before pitting. After the driver change, Morris continued to hold a strong position before pitting for a second time for a splash of fuel. After driving a strong closing stint, Morris took fourth place, locking down an impressive three of the top four positions for Hyundai.
In the No. 99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N TCR, Morgan Burkhard and Tyler Gonzalez ran a strong race, leading multiple laps before contact in the latter half of the race caused them to fall down the running order. The team finished in tenth.
An early collision ended drivers Preston Brown and Denis Dupont’s day in the No. 76 car, despite having been the race’s top-qualifying Hyundai.
Heading into the final round of IMPC competition, Hyundai leads the Manufacturers’ Championship by 90 points. Up next, Hyundai will take on Road Atlanta for the final round with the Fox Factory 120 on Oct. 11, 2024.
- Top-Finishing Hyundai: First place for the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins
- Top-Qualifying Hyundai: Fourth place for the No. 76 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Preston Brown and Bryson Morris
Hyundai drivers Harry Gottsacker, Robert Wickens, Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins are photographed during podium celebrations at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
Hyundai Finishing Results
Position |
Drivers |
Team |
Car |
1 |
M. Filippi / M. Wilkins |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#98 Elantra N TCR |
2 |
R. Wickens / H. Gottsacker |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#33 Elantra N TCR |
4 |
B. Morris / T. Hagler |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#77 Elantra N TCR |
10 |
M. Burkhard / T. Gonzalez |
Victor Gonzalez Racing Team |
#99 Elantra N TCR |
11 |
P. Brown / D. Dupont |
Bryan Herta Racing Team |
#76 Elantra N TCR |
Hyundai Championship Standings
Position |
Drivers |
Team |
Car |
Total Points |
2 |
R. Wickens / H. Gottsacker |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#33 Elantra N TCR |
2600 |
3 |
M. Filippi / M. Wilkins |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#98 Elantra N TCR |
2540 |
5 |
P. Brown / D. Dupont |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#76 Elantra N TCR |
2410 |
7 |
T. Hagler / B. Morris |
Bryan Herta Autosport |
#77 Elantra N TCR |
2220 |
8 |
T. Gonzalez |
Victor Gonzalez Racing Team |
#99 Elantra N TCR |
2040 |
IMSA TCR Manufacturer Standings
Position |
Manufacturer |
Total Points |
1 |
Hyundai |
2970 |
2 |
Audi |
2880 |
3 |
Honda |
2710 |
4 |
Alfa Romeo |
2690 |
The No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins is photographed during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
The No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens is photographed during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)
Hyundai Hope On Wheels
In 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has pledged to donate $100 for every lap that a Hyundai Elantra N TCR is in the lead for during every race of the season. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hyundai cars led 67 laps, resulting in a $6,700 donation by Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport to Hope On Wheels.
Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.
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