Hyundai Motor America and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) soared in the first race of the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, taking home first and second place at the legendary Daytona International Speedway. BHA’s No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, piloted by Denis Dupont and Preston Brown, and the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, driven by Mark Wilkins and Bryson Morris, crossed the finish line within a fraction of a second of one another in a thrilling race to the checkered flag.
The No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR and No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR photographed crossing the finish line during the BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/Richard Prince Photography)
Hyundai started strong with the No. 33 on the pole position and the No. 98, driven by Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker, sitting in the second row. Hyundai controlled the front of the field for most of the race. The lead was swapped between the No. 33 and No. 99 driven entry of Eric Powell and Tyler Gonzalez for Victor Gonzalez Racing.
The Hyundai N TCR field saw impressive movement throughout the four-hour race. The No. 9 Hyundai N TCR, driven by Madison Aust and Suellio Almeida for BHA, moved up two positions to finish fourth in their debut event after a drive-through penalty set them back early in the race. A strong run for the No. 18, piloted by Lance Bergstein and Jon Miller, brought home a sixth-place finish for Victor Gonzalez Racing.
Rounding out the rest of the Hyundai N TCR field, Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker in the No. 98 finished in eighth after an incident at the beginning of the race set them back several spots. The No. 72 driven by Riley Pegram and Larry Pegram was moving up through the field and battling for fifth position before an incident with the No. 31 Audi and No. 55 Cupra sidelined the team for the rest of the race.
Hyundai and BHA have etched their name in motorsport history, claiming their first victory at Daytona in a thrilling finish. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for both organizations, it also echoes their exceptional performances from 2024, with a repeat pole position and a double-podium finish.
- Top-Finishing Hyundai: First place for the No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, piloted by Denis Dupont and Preston Brown.
- Top-Qualifying Hyundai: Pole Position for the No. 33 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Bryson Morris and Mark Wilkins.
The No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR drivers Denis Dupont and Preston Brown are photographed during the podium celebrations at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/Richard Prince Photography)
Hyundai Finishing Results
| Position | Drivers | Team | Car |
| 1 | P. Brown / D, Dupont | Bryan Herta Autosport | #76 Elantra N TCR |
| 2 | B.Morris / M. Wilkins | Bryan Herta Autosport | #33 Elantra N TCR |
| 4 | S. Almeida / M. Aust | Bryan Herta Autosport | #9 Elantra N TCR |
| 6 | J. Miller / L. Bergstein | Victor Gonzalez Racing Team | #18 Elantra N TCR |
| 8 | H. Gottsacker / M. Flippi | Bryan Herta Autosport | #98 Elantra N TCR |
| 11 | E. Powell / T. Gonzalez | Victor Gonzalez Racing Team | #99 Elantra N TCR |
| 13 | L. Pegram / R. Pegram | Pegram Racing | #72 Elantra N TCR |
Hyundai Championship Standings
| Position | Drivers | Team | Car | Total Points |
| 1 | P. Brown / D. Dupont | Bryan Herta Autosport | #76 Elantra N TCR | 350 |
| 2 | B. Morris / M. Wilkins | Bryan Herta Autosport | #33 Elantra N TCR | 320 |
| 4 | S. Almeida / M. Aust | Bryan Herta Autosport | #9 Elantra N TCR | 280 |
| 6 | J. Miller / L. Bergstein | Victor Gonzalez Racing Team | #18 Elantra N TCR | 250 |
| 8 | H. Gottsacker / M. Filippi | Bryan Herta Autosport | #98 Elantra N TCR | 230 |
| 11 | E. Powell / T. Gonzalez | Victor Gonzalez Racing Team | #99 Elantra N TCR | 200 |
| 13 | L. Pegram / R. Pegram | Pegram Racing | #72 Elantra N TCR | 180 |
IMSA TCR Manufacturer Standings
| Position | Manufacturer | Total Points |
| 1 | Hyundai | 350 |
| 2 | Audi | 320 |
| 3 | Honda | 300 |
| 4 | Cupra | 280 |
The No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Denis Dupont and Preston Brown photographed during the BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/Richard Prince Photography)
Hyundai Hope On Wheels
Hyundai’s impressive finishes are not the only successes to be had at Daytona. In 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels pledged to donate $100 for each lap a Hyundai Elantra N TCR leads during every race of the season. Thanks to a dominating performance, Hyundai’s mission will donate $10,500 to the AdventHealth Central Florida Hospital for leading 105 laps of the 109-lap race. Race winners Denis Dupont and Preston Brown in the No. 76 led 22 laps for BHA. The No. 33 driven by Bryson Morris and Mark Wilkins led an impressive 48 laps for BHA. Eric Powell and Tyler Gonzalez in the No. 99 led 35 laps for Victor Gonzalez Racing.
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.
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