Chase/Norman score the Hyundai Elantra N’s first win in IMSA
At Mid-Ohio, Hyundai returned to the top of the chart in the TCR class of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, snatching four of the top five finishing positions – including class winners Parker Chase and Ryan Norman in the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Hyundai Elantra N TCR. It brought the first victory in the series for the Elantra model.
“It feels good to deliver the first win for the Elantra,” Chase said after getting his first Pilot Challenge victory. “Bryan Herta Autosport had their first win here exactly two years ago, so it’s cool to deliver the first win for the Elantra at the same place. We had a good qualifying – we started third – and we really just didn’t let anybody by us today. We got up front and stayed up front.”
Chase had a healthy battle with the #19 van der Steur Racing Hyundai Veloster N for the first half of the race, battling for the lead on several occasions. The #98 passed the #19 for first place just before the full-course caution at the midpoint.
Norman took over on the pit stop in second place behind the #27 Copeland Motorsports Hyundai Veloster driven by Tyler Maxson. Norman bided his time, saving his tyres before working past Maxson through the Turns 4-7 section with just under a half hour remaining.
Norman held off teammate Michael Lewis in the #77 Veloster by 1.020 seconds at the finish line. Ryan Eversley brought the #94 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic Type R FK7 home third. Hyundai cars also grabbed fourth and fifth places by the #27 Veloster and the #33 BHA Elantra, respectively.
The second place helped the pair of Hagler/Lewis to stretch their leadership in the standings to forty points over Eversley.
The fourth round of the season will take place at Watkins Glen on June 26th.
IMSA Mid-Ohio – Race
1. P. Chase/R. Norman (Bryan Herta Autosport, Hyundai Elantra N), 75 laps
2. M. Lewis/T. Hagler (Bryan Herta Autosport, Hyundai Veloster N), 1.020
3. R. Eversley/S. Smithson (Atlanta Speedwerk, Honda Civic Type R), 1.392
4. T. Maxson/T. Gonzalez (Copeland Motorsports, Hyundai Veloster N), 3.549
5. H. Gottsacker/M. Wilkins (Bryan Herta Autosport, Hyundai Elantra N), 3.908
Championship points
1. M. Lewis/T. Hagler 900 pts; 2. R. Eversley 860; 3. J. Morley/G. Ernstone 780
Picture: IMSA/LAT Images
