Photo: Copeland
Copeland Motorsports has confirmed a second Hyundai Veloster N TCR for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, with Mason Filippi and Olympic snowboarder AJ Muss as drivers.
The duo join the previously confirmed Tyler Maxson and Tyler Gonzalez in the team.
Filippi drove for Bryan Herta Autosport the past two years, finishing runner-up in the 2020 championship.
Muss, who is planing to compete in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, made his TCR debut in last year’s season-opener at Daytona, in a Forty7 Motorsports-run Hyundai.
“My goal for 2021 is to build a strong relationship with the team and my co-driver, to learn all that I can on the TCR series and to finish strong at the end of the season,” said Muss.
“Copeland Motorsports has proven that they are winners and champions, and I personally hope that I can help them carry on their winning heritage.”
Muss, 26, believes the Dean Copeland-owned operation has the “tools to succeed” to help him develop as a driver.
“Dean and his entire program have the same fighting attitude I have and can’t wait to get in the car and bring home some hardware,” he said.
“Being a two-sport athlete is very difficult, but extremely rewarding at the same time.
“The are many similarities between competing in the Olympics, and competing in professional motorsports; both require training, dedication, and supreme focus to perform at the highest level possible. In addition, both carry a danger level.”
Filippi, meanwhile, arrives at the team on the heels of two class wins last year, and as the most experienced driver out of the two-car squad.
“Copeland Motorsports is an incredible team with many successes, and I am looking forward to pushing hard and battle for the top step of the podium,” he said. “Thank you to Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai for this great position. I am already itching to jump into the Veloster N TCR at Daytona.”
Copeland added: “I am really excited to add another confirmed driver duo to our IMSA program as we ready for the first green flag of the season,” explained Dean Copeland. “AJ is an athlete and knows what it takes to win. Driving alongside Mason will only elevate his performance at the pointy end of the field.”
The team has not ruled out running a third Hyundai for the 2021 season, which kicks off later this month at Daytona.
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