Hyundai Clinches Fifth-Consecutive Manufacturers’ Championship with 1-2 Finish at Fox Factory 120


  • Hyundai earns fifth-consecutive IMSA Michelin Pilot Championship Manufacturers’ Championship in the TCR class
  • Drivers Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins earn back-to-back wins in the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR to finish the season
  • Hyundai sweeps SRO TC America series championships
  • Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) raise $6,900 for Hyundai Hope On Wheels after leading all but five laps at Road Atlanta for a season total of more than $38,000


FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 14, 2024 –
Hyundai has earned its fifth-consecutive IMSA Michelin Pilot Championship (IMPC) Manufacturers’ Championship after a dominating performance in the Fox Factory 120 at Road Atlanta. This stellar result includes the manufacturer’s fourth win of the campaign, as Hyundai Motor America (HMA) concluded its season-long streak of podiums with a victory. In the Drivers’ Championship, Hyundai comprised three of the top-four places.


Hyundai team members are photographed after securing the Manufacturers’ Championship at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Oct. 11, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

In the No. 77 Elantra N TCR, Bryson Morris led the way for Hyundai by securing the top four starting positions for the manufacturer in qualifying, including his second TCR pole position of the 2024 IMPC season. Morris set the TCR lap record at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta with a sensational lap, putting him fifth overall in the mixed IMPC field. The No. 77 car was joined by the No. 33, No. 98 and No. 99 of the Victor Gonzalez Racing Team (VGRT) to round out the top starting positions, with the No. 76 car just behind in sixth. Mason Filippi in the No. 98 car managed his opening stint perfectly, keeping pace with the leaders during the opening laps while conserving fuel.

Fuel saving allowed the No. 98 car to jump up the order during pitstops as driver Mark Wilkins took over for the closing stages of the race. A battle for the race win took place between the No. 98 and No. 99 Hyundai Elantras. Wilkins kept close to the lead car, managing his pace perfectly until the leader ran out of fuel on the last lap of the race, allowing the No. 98 car to assume the lead and take the checkered flag. This performance enabled Wilkins and Filippi to jump forward in the Drivers’ Championship, finishing the season in the runner-up position.

Despite starting last among the Hyundais, Preston Brown managed a solid opening shift in the No. 76 Elantra N TCR. Brown navigated traffic well, putting Denis Dupont in a strong position for the closing stint. Dupont was quickly able to move up the field bringing home second place for the driver pair.

Drivers Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens drove an impressive race in the No. 33 car, competing for the top positions for the entirety of the race, before finishing just off the podium in fourth position.

A long pitstop caused Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris to fall from the lead after Morris led the opening 28 laps. Hagler found strong pace, recovering to finish in eighth place.

In the No. 99 VGRT Hyundai Elantra N TCR, Morgan Burkhard and Tyler Gonzalez ran a strong race, leading the second half of the contest until a dramatic last lap which saw the car run out of fuel, resulting in an eleventh-place finish.

  • 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: First place for the No. 77 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Bryson Morris and Taylor Hagler


Hyundai drivers Preston Brown, Denis Dupont, Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi are photographed during podium celebrations for the Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Oct. 11, 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

P. Brown / D. Dupont

Bryan Herta Autosport

#76 Elantra N TCR

4

H. Gottsacker / R. Wickens

Bryan Herta Autosport

#33 Elantra N TCR

8

T. Hagler / B. Morris

Bryan Herta Autosport

#77 Elantra N TCR

11

M. Burkhard / T. Gonzalez

Victor Gonzalez Racing Team

#99 Elantra N TCR

Hyundai Championship Standings

Position

Drivers

Team

Car

Total Points

2

M. Filippi / M. Wilkins

Bryan Herta Autosport

#98 Elantra N TCR

2890

3

H. Gottsacker / R. Wickens

Bryan Herta Autosport

#33 Elantra N TCR

2880

4

P. Brown / D. Dupont

Bryan Herta Autosport

#76 Elantra N TCR

2730

7

T. Hagler / B. Morris

Bryan Herta Autosport

#77 Elantra N TCR

2450

8

T. Gonzalez

Victor Gonzalez Racing Team

#99 Elantra N TCR

2240

IMSA TCR Manufacturer Standings

Position

Manufacturer

Total Points

1

Hyundai

3320

2

Audi

3160

3

Honda

3030

4

Alfa Romeo

2990


Bryan Herta is photographed during the IMSA Award Ceremony at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Oct. 11, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)


The No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins is photographed during the Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Oct. 11, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)


No. 77 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driver Bryson Morris is photographed during the pole ceremony for the Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Oct. 11, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

Hyundai Sweeps Championships in SRO TC America Series
Hyundai secured the Manufacturers’, Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships in the SRO TC America series as Jeff Ricca and Ricca Autosport completed a spectacular 2024 season in the competitive class. Ricca Autosport was able to secure top finishes in 11 of the 14 rounds, with podiums in the other three races in a dominating 2024 season.

Hyundai Hope On Wheels
In 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels pledged to donate $100 for every lap that a Hyundai Elantra N TCR was in the lead for every race of the season. At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Hyundai cars led 69 laps, resulting in a $6,900 donation by Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport to Hope On Wheels. This performance brings the season total to more than $38,000.

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, 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.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

 

###





منبع