Hagler Heads to Watkins Glen with Championship Lead
Taylor Hagler heads to Watkins Glen International for the fifth round of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) competition this weekend. Having grown the championship lead that she holds alongside co-driver Michael Lewis, Hagler enters the Tioga Downs Casino Resort 120 weekend with an 130 point advantage. The two-hour race will go green on Friday, June 25, with a 3:45pm ET livestream on Peacock.
Hagler and teammate Lewis will share the driving duties on board the No. 1 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR as they eye a second consecutive IMPC Championship title.
Having scored another podium result last month in the Mid-Ohio 120, the duo have continued to execute on their goal of a successful title defense with some momentum-building race outings.
While it has been over a month since Hagler has raced the Elantra, the Texan at least gained some seat time behind the wheel of some street Hyundai N machines at Gingerman Raceway as part of a Hyundai event during Gridlife’s recent visit to Michigan.
Hagler and Lewis raced together at The Glen twice during the 2021 season, earning podium finishes both times out for the BHA duo with two runs to third place. In addition to her IMSA Watkins Glen background, Hagler also has winning experience on the 3.45-mile natural terrain road circuit having raced to a victory in Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS competition at Watkins Glen.
The first female IMPC champion now looks to add to her impressive racing resume this weekend and press for victory at Watkins Glen.
“We have some great momentum with the Elantra after the Mid-Ohio weekend,” said Hagler. “Every race the team finds a way to improve the car and our strategy at the same time. Last year, Michael (Lewis) and I had two really good runs at the Glen and hopefully we can do that again and keep bringing home solid finishes. This race kicks off a busy month of events so I’m pretty excited to get going this weekend and I can’t wait to get back in the Hyundai.”
The fifth round of the 2022 IMPC season at Watkins Glen International goes green on June 25 at 3:45pm ET with flag-to-flag coverage on Peacock.