Looking for another big result in Texas, Taylor Hagler returns to the site of her first professional racing podium at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend.
The San Antonio, Texas native will strap into the No. 77 L.A. Honda World Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR for the race weekend September 17-19th.
Hagler captured her first professional racing podium in only her second professional race start in 2019. TC America competition is familiar to Hagler, having collected eight top-five finishes in her rookie season last year.
Hagler got the last minute call from L.A. Honda World Racing to join the team for the weekend as she looks forward to making her first TCR class start in SRO competition as part of a three-car program.
Located just 87 miles from her hometown of San Antonio, COTA serves as Hagler’s home track as she looks forward to a return to the Formula 1-grade facility.
“It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to go back to where my professional career started,” said Hagler. “Racing a Honda at my home track is always special and I want to thank L.A. Honda World Racing and Honda Racing HPD for the opportunity to expand my program for this one-off event.”
Hagler’s confidence is high heading into the COTA race weekend as she is coming off of a strong run in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The Honda development driver scored her best finish of fourth in the four-hour endurance event.
“While it will be the first time I will be driving the Civic Type R TCR at COTA, I know how to utilize a car there,” said Hagler. “With the elevation change, the TCR will be fun while also challenging with it being more aerodynamic and technical than anything else I have driven there. Each race will come down to driver experience and skill set for who is at the front. I know COTA like the back of my hand and I am ready to fight for a podium again.”
The race weekend begins on Thursday with two practice sessions. The first race is set for this Friday at 1:05pm CT.
Weekend Schedule
Thursday, September 17th
Practice 1 – 10:20AM
Practice 2 – 2:10PM
Friday, September 18th
Qualifying – 8:00AM
Race 1 – 1:05PM
Saturday, September 19th
Race 2 – 12:05PM
*All Times Central