In the most recent event weekend that saw the young Tyler Gonzalez compete in both the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Floridian left the facility with a pole position and a victory. Looking to improve on these results this coming weekend, Gonzalez will join both Copeland Motorsports and Rory Van Der Steur Racing at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
“It will be another busy week, but I am up for the challenge,” expressed Gonzalez. “Running two classes gives me the opportunity to get on track more than my competitors and hopefully gain that competitive advantage. With multiple series and different tire compounds for each, the track conditions change quick, so this is a good way to stay ahead of the curve.”
Claiming multiple race wins in the previous 12 Mazda MX-5 Cup races, Gonzalez looks to finish the season on top and build momentum for a potential 2023 campaign. Showing that he has what it takes to make a run at a title in any series, the teenager is looking to make this the start of a long winning streak that extends into 2023.
Gonzalez added, “Since I was forced to miss a race due to a conflict, I am not in the MX-5 Cup championship chase and am racing purely for victories. With nothing to lose, I can be aggressive to see if we can win.”
Sitting seventh in the Michelin Pilot Challenge championship points chase, Gonzalez and his co-driver are the best amongst the privateer efforts and could move up the standings with a good result this weekend.
“We may have the opportunity to break into and finish in the top-five but need a good weekend result-wise and need some of our competition to have some shortfalls,” continued Gonzalez. “It has not been the easiest of seasons, but we have proven we have the speed to compete each race week despite being one of the smaller programs.”
Set to hit the track on Wednesday for practice and qualifying in both series, Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich races will take place on Thursday and Friday while the two-hour Fox Factory 120 Michelin Pilot Challenge race takes the green flag Friday afternoon.
Stay tuned to the Tyler Gonzalez social media pages for news, information, photos, and results from all event weekends. You can find him via his social media pages at ‘Tyler Gonzalez Racing’.
Photo Credit: IMSA