DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian will enter three Hyundai Veloster N TCR’s in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge championship.
All four BHA drivers from 2019 will return to the roster this season, however the line-up has changed.
Mark Wilkins and Michael Lewis, who co-drove the No. 98 Veloster N TCR to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge drivers championship last year, will be split up for 2020. Lewis will remain in the No. 98 alongside Mason Filippi. Wilkins will co-drive with Harry Gottsacker in the No. 21. The new third entry, the No. 88 Veloster N TCR, will be driven by open-wheel standouts Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman.
“Hyundai has very quickly established themselves as serious competitors in worldwide motorsports, across multiple platforms,” said Team owner Bryan Herta. “Bringing back our champions, Mark Wilkins and Michael Lewis, along with race winners Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker, for another season was a no-brainer. Having another incredible pairing in Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman is sure to make us even stronger this season.”
Chaves, 27, from Bogota, Colombia, returns to familiar surroundings at BHA. Chaves won the 2015 IndyCar Rookie of the Year title while driving for Bryan Herta Autosport. This will be Chaves’s first full season in IMSA.
“It’s so great to start 2020 on such a positive note and coming back to BHA is just awesome,” said Chaves. “Hyundai’s commitment to this program and the development of the Veloster N TCR really stands out, and to drive for them will be a career highlight. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”
Norman, 21, from Cleveland, Ohio, joins BHA from Andretti Autosport. Norman finished fourth in the Indy Lights championship in 2018 and 2019. This will also be his first season of IMSA competition.
“Bryan Herta became a mentor to me while I drove at Andretti Autosport. To join his team and race for BHA and Hyundai is such an honor,” said Norman. “I got up to speed very quickly in the new car during a test just before Christmas and felt comfortable immediately. We will be in contention for race wins all year and that is a wonderful feeling going into a new season.”