Hyundai Extends Manufacturers' Championship Lead with Double Podium at VIRginia International Raceway

Hyundai improves Manufacturers’ Championship lead for the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Championship (IMPC) with sixth double-podium result
No. 99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N TCR secures the customer team’s best finish of the season
Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) raise $5,400 for Hyundai Hope on Wheels by leading 54 laps

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 26, 2024 – Hyundai extended its Manufacturers’ Championship lead in the 2024 IMPC series as the automaker secured a sixth double-podium finish of the season. Hyundai entries occupied three of the top four places as both the No. 99 and No. 33 cars battled from the back of the field to secure podium results.

The No. 99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team (VGRT) kept impressive pace throughout the entirety of the two-hour race after starting seventh on the grid. Driver Morgan Burkhard cut through the pack as he moved the team’s Elantra N TCR into podium contention. A well-executed pit stop under yellow-flag conditions allowed the team to improve its position as Tyler Gonzalez took over for the closing stint. After an intense battle for the lead which saw the No. 99 atop the pack for a total of 15 laps, Gonzalez brought the car home to a second-place finish.

In similar fashion to the No. 99 car, Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker fought from the back of the TCR field after a penalty negated their second place in qualifying. Despite the setback, Wickens found blistering pace, expertly maneuvering the No. 33 car through the field. After the driver change, Gottsacker moved into podium contention as he battled with teammate Mason Filippi in the No. 98 car for the final podium position, eventually securing a third-place finish. This impressive drive improved the No. 33 car’s championship standings, with the driver duo moving into second place in the 2024 IMPC Drivers’ Championship.

Mark Wilkins started in second place and held onto the position for the opening stages of the race, matching the pace of teammate and pole sitter Bryson Morris in the No. 77 car. However, during a pit stop under a caution, traffic caused Mason Filippi to enter the race further down the field. After cutting through traffic, Filippi battled with Gottsacker and Gonzalez in the No. 33 and No. 99 cars before bringing home a solid fourth-place finish.

After securing his first IMPC pole position, Bryson Morris and co-driver Taylor Hagler finished sixth in the No. 77 Hyundai Elantra N TCR after their strategy was disrupted by yellow flags.

Following this eighth round of IMPC competition, Hyundai now leads the Manufacturers’ Championship by 60 points. Up next, the Hyundai teams are set to take on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 on Sept. 21, 2024.

Top-Finishing Hyundai: Second place for the No. 99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Morgan Burkhard and Tyler Gonzalez
Top-Qualifying Hyundai: First place for the No. 77 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris

Hyundai drivers Harry Gottsacker, Robert Wickens, Morgan Burkhard and Tyler Gonzalez are photographed during podium celebrations at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

Hyundai Finishing Results

Position	Drivers	Team	Car
2	T. Gonzalez / M. Burkhard	Victor Gonzalez Racing Team	#99 Elantra N TCR
3	R. Wickens / H. Gottsacker	Bryan Herta Autosport	#33 Elantra N TCR
4	M. Filippi / M. Wilkins	Bryan Herta Autosport	#98 Elantra N TCR
6	B. Morris / T. Hagler	Bryan Herta Autosport	#77 Elantra N TCR
9	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	2280
3	P. Brown / D. Dupont	Bryan Herta Autosport	#76 Elantra N TCR	2210
4	M. Filippi / M. Wilkins	Bryan Herta Autosport	#98 Elantra N TCR	2190
7	T. Hagler / B. Morris	Bryan Herta Autosport	#77 Elantra N TCR	1940
8	T. Gonzalez	Victor Gonzalez Racing Team	#99 Elantra N TCR	1830

IMSA TCR Manufacturer Standings

Position	Manufacturer	Total Points
1	Hyundai	2620
2	Audi	2560
3	Honda	2430
4	Alfa Romeo	2390

No. 77 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driver Bryson Morris is photographed during the pole position ceremony at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

The No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker is photographed during Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/LAT)

The No. 99 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Morgan Burkhard and Tyler Gonzalez is photographed during Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix at VIRginiaInternational Raceway in Alton, Va., Aug. 24, 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 VIRginia International Raceway, Hyundai cars led 54 laps, resulting in a $5,400 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.

###

منبع