Stephen Simpson and Michael Johnson Finish in Second Place in the #54 Universal Coating Hyundai Veloster N TCR Race Car

Stephen Simpson and Michael Johnson raced to second place in the #54 Universal Coating Hyundai Veloster N TCR race car at Virginia International Raceway, moving all the way up from a ninth-place start.

Simpson and Johnson piloted the top finishing Hyundai race car, followed by teammates Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins in third. Sixteen-year-old Tyler Gonzalez and seventeen-year-old Tyler Maxson finished fourth in their Veloster N TCR race car. The series points leaders, Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis, rounded out the top five, extending their championship margin.

“We are thrilled to be back on the podium. Our Veloster N TCR was strong out there. Both Stephen (Simpson) and I passed many cars today, and second place is a great reward,” said Michael Johnson, a driver who joined the Hyundai squad this season with co-driver Simpson.

It was the second podium appearance for Johnson and Simpson, who opened the season with a third-place finish at Daytona International Raceway, Hyundai’s first podium finish at that track.

Next up, Hyundai wants to secure its third straight IMSA team and drivers’ championship and second consecutive manufacturers title at the 2021 Michelin Pilot Challenge finale. The Fox Factory 120 takes place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. 

Hyundai Finishing Results

Position	Drivers	Team	Car
2	M. Johnson / S. Simpson	Bryan Herta Autosport	#54 Veloster N TCR
3	H. Gottsacker / M. Wilkins	Bryan Herta Autosport	#33 Elantra N TCR
4	T. Maxson / T. Gonzalez	Copeland Motorsports	#27 Veloster N TCR
5	T. Hagler / M. Lewis	Bryan Herta Autosport	#77 Veloster N TCR
9	R. van der Steur / D. Dupont	Van der Steur Racing	#19 Veloster N TCR
11	P. Chase / R. Norman	Bryan Herta Autosport	#98 Elantra N TCR
1	A. Muss / M. Filippi	Copeland Motorsports	#51 Veloster N TCR