After three podiums and a race win at the most recent round of the TC America program, Tyler Gonzalez was hoping for more as he entered rounds six, seven and eight this past weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Competing at one of his most favorite tracks on the calendar, Gonzalez scored the pole position in qualifying and went on to claim race wins in rounds six and eight, adding a third-place podium result to his resume in round seven. On the strength of six podiums in the past six races, Tyler Gonzalez has taken over the TCA championship points lead.
“What can I say, it was a great weekend for both myself and the team,” expressed Gonzalez. “To be able to walk away from Sonoma with a pair of race wins was exactly what we needed to make our push towards the championship. We need to keep our foot firmly on the throttle as we are only just at the midway point in the season.”
Scoring the pole position on Friday morning, Gonzalez secured the victory in the first wheel-to-wheel action of the weekend to prove his quest for the series title. Though not the fastest car on the track, the #57 Hyundai was at the top of the TCA time charts when the final checkered flag had flown taking the win by just over four seconds.
With the second fast lap in the first race of the weekend, Gonzalez lined up on the outside of the front row for Saturday’s second race of the weekend. With four straight podiums including two straight wins, the Floridian teenager was aiming for more in round seven. Falling back one position, Gonzalez had an intense battle with a fellow competitor that allowed the eventual race winner to open a gap on the rest of the field. Focused on scoring as many points as possible, as well as the fastest lap of the race for round eight’s pole position, Gonzalez finished in the third position, but was unable to turn a time quick enough for the inside front row starting spot.
Round eight, the third race of the weekend, would go green on Sunday morning and Gonzalez quickly made his move to the point. Taking the lead on the opening circuit, the Hyundai driver opened a small gap that he was able to maintain throughout the thirty-five-minute race. Though he only had the fifth fastest lap, Gonzalez was the most consistent TCA driver as he was able to control the race to add his second win of the weekend and third in the past four races. Strengthening his quest for the series title, Tyler Gonzalez leaves California with the point lead in the TCA Championship.
With the season now at the halfway mark, Gonzalez is control of his own destiny. Assuming his position at the top of the points chase, work for the next event at Road America in a few weeks’ time begins now
Gonzalez added, “The championship points chase is going to go down to the wire. We can’t afford any mistakes and need to gain as many points as possible each weekend. I am definitely up for the challenge and am thankful to have Copeland Motorsports, Hyundai and the Race Suit Valet in my corner.”
For more information and/or partnership opportunities on Tyler Gonzalez, please contact Alberto Gonzalez at 407.466.9083 or via e-mail to superiorcoatingsystems@yahoo.com.
Photos: Halston Pitman