Jonathan Woolridge and the Performance Tech Motorsports team showcased their unwavering determination this weekend at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course. In the third round of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Woolridge finished both Race 1 and Race 2 in a respectable P7.

 

Following Race 1 the team continued to work hard engineering and developing  the Ligier’s setup to further Woolridge on this complex circuit. Race 2 saw incredibly tight racing for position. Woolridge pushed his LMP3 to its limits in a four car battle for 5th that took place a majority of the race, making for entertaining fan excitement!

 

Woolridge is looking forward to being back on home soil at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park next month, and reclaiming the top step on the podium for the second year in a row.

 

“We had good pace in both races this weekend. To be honest, it was a shame we could not get the lap we hoped for track position in qualifying. That was key for our success this weekend. The team worked hard and fought hard with understanding the setup. I am proud of how far the team got without any testing prior to the event. We definitely learned a lot and gained good traction before heading to CTMP in four weeks time”.

 

The fourth round of the IMSA VP SportsCar Challenge will be held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada on July 12-14th 2024.

 

We're profoundly grateful to our sponsors and partners. Your support is the cornerstone of our success on and off the track. Thank you!

 

The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge is a multi-class sprint racing series debuting in 2023. The lead LMP3 class features entry-level, closed-cockpit prototype race cars, while the production-based GSX class will utilize race cars built to international GT4 technical regulations. Each of the six event weekends on the 2024 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge schedule will include a pair of 45-minute sprint races, and drivers must be rated either Bronze or Silver on the FIA Driver Categorization List.

 

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – The drought is over for Will Power.

 

Power earned his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory since June 2022 at Detroit – a span of 34 races – to lead a podium sweep Sunday by Team Penske at the XPEL Grand Prix of Road America presented by AMR. Power had won at least one race for 16 consecutive seasons from 2007-22 before going winless in 2023.

 

SEE: Race Results

 

Two-time series champion Power, who started fifth, drove his No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet to a 3.2609-second victory over teammate Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. Scott McLaughlin finished third in the No. 3 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet, 8.0148 seconds behind Power.

 

Power’s 42nd career victory, tying him for fourth with Michael Andretti for all-time INDYCAR SERIES wins, created one of the more emotional, cathartic victory lanes this season in the series. Power was embraced tearfully by his wife, Liz, who Power cared for during her serious illness last year, and his son, Beau, among other team members and friends.

 

“Massively special,” Power said of the win. “We’ve worked so hard to try to get wins. I worked really hard in the offseason. Obviously, last season was very stressful. Had half a mind at home and half at the track, so it was very difficult to perform at a high level there.

 

“Man, I’m just stoked. I’m very happy, man. That was very well deserved for the whole team. We worked so hard for that.”

 

This was the first podium sweep by a team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since Andretti Global drivers Colton Herta, Alexander Rossi and Ryan Hunter-Reay took the top three spots in September 2020 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Team Penske’s last podium sweep came in September 2017 at Sonoma Raceway with Simon Pagenaud, Newgarden and Power finishing in that respective order.

 

Power also took the championship lead by five points over Alex Palou, who finished fourth in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Kyle Kirkwood rounded out the top five in the No. 27 AutoNation Honda of Andretti Global.

 

The race started in chaotic fashion on Lap 1 when NTT P1 Award winner Linus Lundqvist’s No. 8 American Legion Chip Ganassi Racing Honda was hit from behind into a spin in Turn 1 by the No. 11 Ridgeline Lubricants Chip Ganassi Racing Honda of teammate Marcus Armstrong.

 

Newgarden narrowly escaped that incident, as the accordion effect of that fracas forced his nose to hit the rear of front row starter Colton Herta’s No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian, sending Herta’s car into a spin.

 

Kirkwood took the lead after that incident, with McLaughlin right behind. McLaughlin passed Kirkwood in Turn 1 for the lead on Lap 4 and stayed there until Lap 16, when Newgarden took the top spot after McLaughlin’s first pit stop.

 

By that point, Power had crept into the top five, and tire tactics began to unfold on the leaders’ respective pit boxes.

 

Newgarden completed the first 17 laps of the 55-lap race on Firestone Firehawk alternate tires, while McLaughlin and Power stayed on Firestone primary tires for their first two stops. INDYCAR rules state drivers must use both tire compounds for at least two laps in each road or street course race.

 

Alternate, red-sidewall tires had more speed but less durability. So, it appeared Newgarden was in good shape to drive to victory since he already used his alternate tires early in the race, while his two teammates had to run a stint with the alternate tires in the second half of the race.

 

The pivotal point came on the final pit stops by the Penske lead trio. McLaughlin came to pit road first, shedding his alternate tires for primaries at the end of Lap 42. Newgarden pitted one lap later, staying with a final set of primary tires. He exited pit road well ahead of McLaughlin, as the “overcut” strategy worked.

 

Power waited until the end of Lap 44 to replace his alternate tires with a fresh set of primary Firestones. The deepest of the “overcuts” prevailed, as Power exited pit lane ahead of Newgarden.

 

Two-time series champion Newgarden made one final attempt to pass Newgarden at the start of Lap 46, but he couldn’t finish the move. Power then cycled to the lead on Lap 49 as slower drivers on alternate pit strategies made their final stops, and he was never challenged again.

 

“It was a really good team day,” Newgarden said. “Will did a great job, too. Look, he deserved to win that race, as well.

 

“We put together a great day. We just probably misstepped there at the end. I feel bad that I came in a lap early. I probably should have stayed out.”

 

The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES event is the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on Sunday, June 23 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Live coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET on the USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

 

 

FAST FACTS:

 

A Look Back: Bryan Herta Autosport earned their first TCR victory when co-drivers Mark Wilkins and Michael Lewis won in the Hyundai Veloster N TCR at Mid Ohio in 2019. BHA has three victories five years, with additional victories in 2021 and Harry Gottsacker's victory alongside Parker Chase in 2022.

 

World TCR/Double Duty: Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins will pull double duty this weekend at Mid Ohio as they make their series debut in the World TCR. Competing in both rounds at Mid Ohio, Gottsacker will drive the #38 Elantra N TCR and Wilkins, the #98 Elantra N TCR.

 

Nürburgring 24 TCR VICTORY: Less than a week ago BHA drivers Bryson Morris, Harry Gottsacker, Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi won the Nürburgring 24 Hour in the TCR class, racing the Hyundai Team Americas #831 Elantra N TCR on the famed Nordschleife circuit.

 

BHA Rookie, Bryson Morris won the pole position for the North American squad.

 

Rob's Remarkable Return: At Mid Ohio on May 4, 2021, Robert Wickens drove a race car using hand controls for the first time in a private test orchestrated by Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai. Since that test, Wickens has won a series title, and became the first paralyzed racer to win a professional car racing championship in North America using hand controls, and it took him just 20 races. Wickens' return to racing since his IndyCar accident has been nothing short of stellar. He has a 79% podium rate, with two victories and 11 podiums in 23 races.

 

HHOW: Hyundai Hope On Wheels  has pledged to donate $100 for every lap a Hyundai Elantra N TCR leads during every race of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season. The Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital of Columbus will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at Laguna Seca. 2024 Season Tally: $5800 (Daytona: $1200, Sebring: $2100, Laguna Seca $2300).

 

Lightning In the Throttle: Hyundai recently unveiled its IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec variant for the upcoming The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and shared its collaboration plans with Gran Turismo, the popular sim-racing video game franchise made for PlayStation consoles. Hyundai has produced a webisode series chronicling the Pike Peak project. The BHA crew and Pikes Peak drivers recently tested on America's Mountain for the first time in preparation for the 102nd running of the Hill Climb on June 23rd.

 

The second episode of Lightning in the Throttle, featuring Hyundai's quest to conquer Pikes Peak Hill Climb with the Ioniq 5 N was released this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12HdX07aM2c&t=43s&pp=ygUhaHl1bmRhaSBsaWdodG5pbmcgaW4gdGhlIHRocm90dGxl

 

The Bryan Herta Autosport crew push the Hyundai Team Americas Elantra N TCR to the grid at the ADAC Nürburgring 24 where the #831 Elantra N TCR started from the pole position and went on to claim the TCR victory.

 

2023 CHAMPIONS

2024 Best Start:1st 2024 Best Finish: 3rd (Sebring) 2024 Rank: 4th (790pts)

 

Harry Gottsacker: "We’re coming off a podium at Laguna Seca and really want to keep pushing forward to get at the front of the field and keep building up points. We know the Elantra N TCR shines on the technical layout at Mid Ohio so we are going to be pushing hard all weekend. The length of the race will allow our BHA crew to shine on pit lane and the timing stand. They have had a busy few months between IMSA and Nürburgring the and it would be nice to grab them a win in IMSA." 

 

Robert Wickens: "Everyone will be riding a high after an amazing Nürburgring 24h class win with Harry, Mark Mason and Bryson! Personally. I'm really looking foward to getting back Mid Ohio. The track is always a blast and the fans bring an exciting atmosphere regardless of the condition outside. They have resurfaced the whole track over the season, so it will bring new challenges for everyone. I have no doubt we can get our Elantra N TCR adapted to the new surface quickly and challenge for our first win of the season!"

 

2024 Best Start: 13th 2024 Best Finish: 2nd (Daytona) 2024 Rank: 3rd (830pts)

 

Denis Dupont: "I’m excited to come back at mid Ohio. Preston and I tested last week with our Hyundai Elantra N TCR. We hope that we’ll be able to use what we learnt to fight for a podium this weekend."

 

Preston Brown: "I agree with Denis. Mid Ohio is a special track with some very technical sections that make it highly enjoyable to drive. I'm looking forward to this longer race in our Hyundai!"

 

2024 Best Start: 4th 2024 Best Finish: 8th 2024 Rank: 8th (670pts)

 

Taylor Hagler: "Mid-Ohio is a special place for me and my career and I am looking forward to racing there again. It’s a classic, old school track that as a driver is exciting to drive. We will have four hours to put together a strong strategy and race in the No. 77 Hyundai Elantra N TCR."

 

Bryson Morris: "I can’t wait to get back into the Hyundai Elantra N TCR at Mid Ohio off of our win at the Nürburgring 24 Hour! Hopefully we can carry that momentum into this unusual 4-hour race and bring home a solid result!"

 

2024 Best Start: 4th 2024 Best Finish: 3rd (Daytona) 2024 Rank: 2nd (870)

 

Mason Filippi: "Still savoring our Hyundai victory at the Nürburgring 24! I am really happy we have a 4 hour this weekend, looking forward to another endurance race, our Hyundai Elantra N TCR's do well over the long races. Ready to get our first IMSA win of 2024 to back up our three from last year. It will be cool to see our Hyundai teammates from overseas battle it out in the WTCR race here at Mid Ohio."

 

Mark Wilkins: “It has been a few years since we’ve raced at Mid Ohio, but we will more than make up for that this weekend! After a great result at the Nürburgring this past weekend and a strong podium result at Laguna Seca in May I’m feeling confident that we can carry the momentum to Ohio and go for another strong finish. We’re chasing that first win of the season in IMSA competition, and we’ll keep pushing to achieve that goal. First road trip of the season! I’m excited for the drive and can’t wait to get on track Friday morning!” 

 

 

Founded in 2009, Bryan Herta Autosport has grown from a single car Indy-Lights team into a multi-championship winning auto racing franchise. Led by IndyCar and Sports Car star Bryan Herta, Bryan Herta Autosport has won races in every discipline they have entered, including Indy Lights, Indy Car, Global Rallycross, and championship titles in Pirelli World Challenge and IMSA. BHA rose to prominence after winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500 in what was the final race of the Centennial Era, a celebration of 100 years of racing at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with driver Dan Wheldon. Five years later, BHA partnered with Andretti Autosport, and defied the odds again, winning their second Indianapolis 500 with rookie driver Alexander Rossi. In 2018, BHA entered the American Sports Car scene beginning its immensely successful partnership with Hyundai. Together, BHA and Hyundai have won five consecutive team and driver championships, and four consecutive (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) manufacturer's titles in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge. For more information, visit: www.BryanHertaAutosport.com.

 

BHA/Hyundai Customer Support: Bryan Herta Autosport is the U.S. sales agent and part support representative of Hyundai TCR race cars for customer teams. The BHA/Hyundai Customer Support Team offers trackside engineering support, setup and tuning advice, and part and order fulfillments for the Hyundai Veloster N TCR and TCA teams and drivers from the BHA’s headquarters in Speedway, IN. in 2024, there are five BHA Customer Support Teams racing Elantra N TCR cars in Canada, The USA and in Mexico.

 

 

Hyundai Motor America focuses on ‘Progress for Humanity’ and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.