Hyundai Secures Second Double-Podium Finish at Sebring

#12: StarCom Racing, Hyundai Elantra N TCR, TCR: Nick Tucker, Andy Lally, podium

Hyundai Motor America displayed impressive performance in the Alan Jay Automotive 120 race at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida on Friday, earning two spots on the podium. The result marked the second double-podium finish for Hyundai of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season, backing up a strong double-podium result at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

The 120-minute race started out strong, with Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) driver Harry Gottsacker in the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR taking the green flag from pole position for the second time in two races. The race provided plenty of obstacles, including yellow flags which hindered the No. 33 and No. 98 BHA Elantra N TCR cars after they showed fantastic pace throughout qualifying and the race. The No. 12 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Nick Tucker and five-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Andy Lally made their IMPC debut with StarCom Racing and immediately got up to speed, ending the race in second place, just ahead of the No. 33 of Robert Wickens.

Morgan Burkhard and Chase Jones, drivers of the Victor Gonzalez Racing Team No. 80 Hyundai Elantra N TCR unofficially crossed the finish line in second place, but were moved to the rear of the field after a post-race infraction relegated the team to P13. The No. 12 and No. 33 Elantra N TCR teams earned podium positions after the disqualification of the No. 80 car.

As the checkered flag waved, Hyundai took home six of the top-ten finishing positions. Fourth place was secured by the No. 76 piloted by Preston Brown and Denis Dupont, sixth position was earned by the No. 98 piloted by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins, seventh position went to the No. 99 piloted by Victor Gonzalez and Tyler Gonzalez, and ninth position went to the No. 77 piloted by Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris.

Hyundai Motor America’s stable showed impressive perseverance as Bryson Morris in the No. 77 car secured the fastest TCR lap of the day with a lap time of 2:14.397 around the historic 3.74-mile, 17-turn road course.

Following Sebring, Hyundai sits second in the 2024 IMPC Manufacturers’ Championship standings. Next on the calendar is the return to the Hyundai stable’s home track, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, on May 11 for the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120.

  • Top-Finishing Hyundai: Second place for the No. 12 StarCom Racing Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Andy Lally and Nick Tucker
  • Top-Qualifying Hyundai: Pole Position for the No. 33 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Harry Gottsacker and co-driver Robert Wickens

Hyundai Finishing Results

PositionDriversTeamCar
2N. Tucker / A. LallyStarCom Racing#12 Elantra N TCR
3R. Wickens / H. GottsackerBryan Herta Autosport#33 Elantra N TCR
4P. Brown / D. DupontBryan Herta Autosport#76 Elantra N TCR
6M. Fillipi / M. WilkinsBryan Herta Autosport#98 Elantra N TCR
7T. Gonzalez / V. Gonzalez, Jr.Victor Gonzalez Racing Team#99 Elantra N TCR
9T. Hagler / B. MorrisBryan Herta Autosport#77 Elantra N TCR
13M. Burkhard / C. JonesVictor Gonzalez Racing Team#80 Elantra N TCR

Hyundai Championship Standings

PositionDriversTeamCarTotal Points
2D. Dupont / P. BrownBryan Herta Autosport#76 Elantra N TCR600
3M. Wilkins / M. FilippiBryan Herta Autosport#98 Elantra N TCR550
4R. Wickens / H. GottsackerBryan Herta Autosport#33 Elantra N TCR490
7T. Gonzalez / V. GonzalezVictor Gonzalez Racing Team#99 Elantra N TCR450
8T. Hagler / B. MorrisBryan Herta Autosport#77 Elantra N TCR450
9J. Santero / M. BurkhardVictor Gonzalez Racing Team#80 Elantra N TCR380
12N. Tucker / A. LallyStarCom Racing#12 Elantra N TCR320

IMSA TCR Manufacturer Standings

PositionManufacturerTotal Points
1Audi700
2Hyundai640
3Honda600
4Alfa Romeo560
Top