Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins, drivers of the #98 Hyundai Veloster N TCR Race Car for Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) with Curb Agajanian, claimed the 2019 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Drivers' Championship on Friday, October 11, with a victory at the Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Bryan Herta Autosport secured the Team Title and Hyundai finished a close second in the Manufacturers' Championship.

It was a tight battle throughout Friday's two-hour finale. Both BHA Hyundai Velosters led the race, and ultimately it was Michael and Mark who scored their third victory of the season en-route to their first IMSA Championship. Teammates Harry Gottsacker and Mason Filippi had a grand finale, finishing fourth in the race and catapulting them from fifth to second in the series' standings.

Bryan Herta, co-owner of Bryan Herta Autosport, commented on his team's success: "I am so proud of this team and to represent a great manufacturer like Hyundai. The Veloster N TCR is a great race car, it's been a very competitive and reliable package. Our drivers and this team have done a great job...very fast and very consistent."

Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai have enjoyed much success in their short partnership, winning back-to-back championships in their first two seasons of competition. BHA and Hyundai won the Team and Manufacturer titles last year in the Pirelli World Challenge before transitioning to the more challenging format of endurance racing in IMSA this season.

"Winning these championships is a huge step for Hyundai Motorsports, our dealers, the N performance brand and Veloster," said Michael O'Brien, Vice President of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "In the world of racing, we are certainly a challenger brand and to beat great competitors like Audi, Honda and Alfa Romeo far exceeded our expectations in our first year in the series. We could not be prouder of our dedicated drivers and the level of precision in preparation from Bryan Herta's crew."

"Winning the championship with Mark Wilkins for Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian and Hyundai is so amazing," added Michael Lewis. "This is my first championship in cars and so too for Mark! Thank you to Bryan Herta Autosport for working very hard at the shop and at the track to give us fast and reliable cars. We won the drivers' and team's championship because of you! And, you helped Hyundai get second in the manufacturers' championship! Congratulations to our teammates Harry and Mason as they finished in second in the drivers' championship. A 1-2 for the team! I am so happy and so grateful to be with this team and to race with Mark. Mark, you are a talented driver, you are so good, and you are a really amazing person! Thank you to my personal sponsors of ASE, Cometic Gasket, Inc., Racing Goes Safer Foundation, and Bell Helmets for your contributions as well. Also, thank you to Nicolai and Jeff Elghanayan for letting me race their simulator so much, CXC Simulations, Base51, my dad, my friends, and my girlfriend for their support. We did it! Thank you. We are the champions!"

The championship is now complete but the season is not over. Earlier this week, Bryan Herta announced his two-car entry in the second annual Michelin IMSA SportsCar Encore at Sebring Raceway on November 9-10. This was the same event he announced his entry into IMSA competition last year. The four-hour endurance race is a non-points event, featuring LMP3, GT4 and TCR specification race cars.