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Michelin Pilot Challenge

Murillo Wins Laguna as BHA Hyundais Finish 1-2 in TCR

Murillo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 wins WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120…

Photo: Michelin

Christian Szymczak held off Stevan McAleer to claim victory in Saturday’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120, taking Murillo Racing back to victory lane for the first time since last summer.

Szymczak and co-driver Kenny Murillo scored top overall honors in the No. 72 Mercedes-AMG GT4, in a two-hour race that featured only a single full course caution.

Having started third on the grid, Murillo took over the lead on Lap 22, in a move around both the pole-sitting No. 19 Van der Steur Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Austin McCusker and second-placed Eric Filgueiras in the No. 28 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

With some GS competitors opting for a two-stop strategy, Szymczak brought the Mercedes back to the lead when the No. 39 CarBahn with Peregrine Racing Porsche of Jeff Westphal pitted under the race’s only yellow with less than 40 minutes to go.

Szymczak took the restart with 28 minutes to go and crossed the line 1.876 seconds ahead of McAleer’s RS1 Porsche, marking both drivers’ first career Pilot Challenge victories.

The battle for the final podium position in GS came down to the closing laps, with Winward Racing’s Daniel Morad making a pass on the No. 47 Nolasport Porsche of Elliott Skeer with two minutes to go after contact between the two cars while exiting the Corkscrew.

It resulted in Skeer’s Porsche launch its front wheels into the air and the No. 27 Lone Star Racing Mercedes of Scott Andrews get around Skeer for fourth.

BHA Hyundais Claim 1-2 Sweep in TCR

Bryan Herta Autosport, meanwhile, scored a 1-2 finish in TCR, led home by the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR of Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi.

Wilkins finished 1.257 seconds ahead of teammate Robert Wickens, who shared the No. 33 Hyundai with Harry Gottsacker.

The debuting No. 37 LA Honda World Honda Civic Type R TCR of Mat Pombo and Ryan Eversley completed the class podium in third after losing time during its pit stop with an air jack issue.

Pombo started the FL5 Civic on class pole and led the opening five laps before losing the lead to Gottsacker, who held command for the nearly the first half of the race.

It marked BHA and Hyundai’s first class win of the season after victories by Road Shagger and KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering at Daytona International Speedway and Sebring International Raceway, respectively.

RESULTS: Laguna Seca 120

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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