Top Ten Finish for Hagler at Laguna Seca
To mark the return of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge to the west coast, the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120 played host to the field 37 GS and TCR entries for the third race on the 2024 calendar. Taylor Hagler was primed to celebrate Hyundai’s U.S. homecoming during the MOTUL Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N In the No. 77 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR.
Hagler placed the No. 77 Hyundai seventh on the starting grid for the two-hour race. She took the green flag and as the field crossed the line to begin the second, the first of two full course cautions appeared. When the field returned to green flag running on lap five, Hagler maintained her position. The second yellow flag appeared just four laps later.
On the 15th lap, green flag racing resumed and remained for the remaining 19 laps of Hagler’s opening stint. On the restart, Hagler was quick to gain two spots to run fifth. She battled close with fellow TCR competition before coming to pit lane on lap 34 for four new tires, fuel and a driver change to teammate Bryson Morris.
Upon Morris’s return to the racing course, a racing incident occurred between the No. 77 Hyundai and a competitor that forced the BHA entry a lap down. Morris would pace the remaining 41 laps in ninth to conclude the third round of the 2024 IMPC season.
Taylor Hagler, No. 77 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR: “Laguna Seca is an iconic track and even better when we celebrate Hyundai’s U.S. home race! We battled through the race and, unfortunately, a racing incident put us a lap down. Luckily, this is the time of year we can quickly regroup and move forward with Mid-Ohio just around the corner in June.”