Victor Gonzalez Racing Makes Mid-Season Switch to CUPRA

Photo: NGP

Victor Gonzalez Racing will make the move from Hyundai to CUPRA TCR machinery in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge beginning with next month’s round at Road America.

The TCR race-winning squad, which made the mid-season switch from Honda to Hyundai in 2023, has now aligned with the Volkswagen-owned brand as part of a targeted new long-term partnership.

The No. 99 entry of Tyler Gonzalez and Eric Powell, which is coming off its second consecutive class podium finish in last weekend’s round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, will debut the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR at Road America.

Team owner Victor Gonzalez Jr. told Sportscar365 that its No. 18 entry, which did not take part in the CTMP race due to personal reasons, has been parked “effective immediately.”

Car owner Lance Bergstein, however, told Sportscar365 that he is exploring other teams to operate his Hyundai Elantra N TCR for the rest of the season.

“This is a new chapter for the team, and we are ready for the challenge ahead,” said Gonzalez Jr. “I have been closely watching the brand-new CUPRA Leon VZ TCR during the 2025 season and it is a solid race car.

“For VGR to be part of this project is truly exciting.

“Before we move on to the new chapter ahead, I have to say thank you to my friend Bryan Herta and everyone at Bryan Herta Autosport for believing in my team — I will always be grateful to them and to Hyundai for all their support.

“Thanks to CUPRA and NGP for working nonstop to make this a reality and for seeing VGR as a strong partner for the brand.”

VGR becomes the second CUPRA customer in Pilot Challenge, joining Gou Racing, which gave the car is U.S. race debut in January’s season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

While having been absent from CTMP, New German Performance owner John Martin, the North American parts distributor for CUPRA Racing, told Sportscar365 that the Gou’s will return for Road America.

This article was updated on July 14 at 11:45 a.m. EST with a statement from No. 18 Hyundai car owner Lance Bergstein

John Dagys

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