Taylor Hagler Ready for Daytona

Daytona Beach, Fla. (25 January 2021) – After a successful three day test weekend at Daytona International Speedway with her Bryan Herta Autosport squad, Taylor Hagler is prepared to kick off the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season this weekend.

The IMPC action will take just a two day break before Hagler returns to the the 3.56-mile track with the No. 77 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster N TCR on January 27th for the first day of practice ahead of the four hour BMW Endurance Challenge – the first race of the IMPC season.

While Hagler made the transition into a new TCR car at Daytona this week, she also began her working relationship with new teammate Michael Lewis. Lewis brings two years of experience onboard the Hyundai Veloster with BHA which has made Hagler’s integration to the team a seamless one. Lewis won the 2019 TCR Class and Driver Championship in Hyundai’s first year in IMSA competition and has five wins aboard the Veloster N TCR.

“Having Michael (Lewis) as my teammate has been very helpful,” said Hagler. “He knows the Hyundai inside and out and it’s been great to be able to pick his brain and learn from him. He’s been really open and enjoys sharing all that information and answering any of the questions that I have. We are still getting used to each other, but by building a good working relationship off-track translates to our success on track.”

Hagler will make her second career IMSA race start at Daytona on Friday, January 29. The 2020 edition of the event marked her first professional racing start. Hagler showed the talent and confidence of a veteran behind the wheel as she maneuvered through difficult conditions and drove to a 12th place finish.

The Hyundai driver looks to start where she left off with a podium finish in her sights.

“I

am very optimistic about our first race weekend and this season in general,” said Hagler. “Making the switch to a new car can always be a little difficult, but the team has been incredible in making this a smooth transition. The Hyundai Veloster N TCR is a fun car to drive and it has been fairly easy learning the ins and outs of the car. I am going to get some mental and physical rest during the couple of days we have between the Roar and the Rolex weekends so that I am at my best for the race and so that I can bring as much as I am able to when I am in the car.”

Hagler will take the green flag for the BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona on Friday, January 29th at 1:30PM ET. Exclusive live coverage of the four-hour race will be available on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

Weekend Schedule:

Wednesday, January 27th

Practice 1 – 1:45PM

Thursday, January 28th 

Practice 2 – 9:45AM

Qualifying (TCR) – 2:25PM

Friday, January 29th 

Practice 3 – 9:25AM

Race – 1:35PM

*All Times Eastern