TGR StaffUnder the lights of Daytona International Speedway, Hyundai Motor America and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) kicked off the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with a performance for the history books. BHA’s No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, driven by Denis Dupont and Preston Brown, clinched the top spot, while teammates Mark Wilkins and Bryson Morris in the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR claimed second place, crossing the finish line just a fraction of a second behind in a breathtaking sprint to the checkered flag.
Hyundai’s dominance began early, with the No. 33 on pole position and the No. 98, piloted by Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker, starting strong from the second row. As the four-hour BMW M Endurance Challenge unfolded, Hyundai demonstrated its prowess on the legendary high banks and twisting infield of Daytona. The lead seesawed between the No. 33 and the No. 99 Hyundai Elantra N TCR fielded by Victor Gonzalez Racing, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite the intense competition, the final laps belonged to Dupont and Brown in the No. 76, who executed a flawless strategy to secure Hyundai and BHA their first-ever victory at Daytona—a significant milestone that underscores their meteoric rise in the motorsport world.
The Hyundai Elantra N TCR Field: Triumphs and Challenges
Hyundai’s fleet of Elantra N TCRs showed grit and determination throughout the field. The No. 9 car, featuring Madison Aust and Suellio Almeida in their series debut, rebounded from a drive-through penalty to finish a commendable fourth. Meanwhile, Lance Bergstein and Jon Miller in the No. 18 entry delivered a strong sixth-place result for Victor Gonzalez Racing.
Not every Hyundai entry escaped Daytona unscathed. Filippi and Gottsacker in the No. 98 finished eighth after an early-race incident forced them to claw their way back through the pack. Riley Pegram and Larry Pegram in the No. 72 were mounting a charge into the top five before a collision with the No. 31 Audi and No. 55 Cupra ended their race prematurely.
A Milestone Moment For Hyundai Elantra N
This historic one-two finish is more than just a win for Hyundai and BHA; it’s a testament to the resilience and performance of the Elantra N TCR program. Building on their successes in 2024, which included pole positions and double podiums, this Daytona victory solidifies their status as a force to be reckoned with in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
With Dupont, Brown, Wilkins, and Morris leading the charge, the 2025 season is already shaping up to be unforgettable for Hyundai Motorsport. The iconic Daytona International Speedway has seen its share of legends, and now, the Hyundai Elantra N TCR has joined that storied lineage.
Hyundai Elantra N 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 Elantra N 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 |
Photos Courtesy of Hyundai and Richard Prince Photography
Love seeing the upstart from Korea kicking ass, N is the affordable enthusiast vehicle.
This is just the start they will keep winning!
Now they just need to win LeMans
Wish Ford and other companies would get back into this market.
Me driving my Hyundai around like its a race car now.
Let’s see if they can keep this up
Excited to see what they do next…
Crazy to think that the Elantra N is basically our generations GT350, the basic affordable sporty car that has been tweaked to take on the world.
Denis Dupont is the man!
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to wrap my daily driver N to look like the race car, do you think I would get in trouble? I heard some race teams sue fans for copyright.
You should be good.
Unexpected but these cars are really impressive
Good? I don’t know BMW is still better.
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Man I still can’t believe a Hyundai won at Daytona 😳 that little Elantra N really held it down! Thought them things were just for kids with loud exhausts but guess not lol. Dupont and Brown drove the wheels off it, didn’t think they’d lead dang near the whole race.
Crazy to see Hyundai beating out the big names like it’s no big deal. Guess times are changin’. Might have to give that N model a second look next time I’m at the dealer 👀
Hyundai needs to step it up in the world of Baja racing.