Alana Carter made an unforgettable debut in the TC America series this past week, competing in a triple-header at Barber Motorsports Park from Thursday, September 4 through Saturday, September 6. Driving the #74 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo with Ricca Autosport, Carter showcased exceptional race craft, composure, and discipline throughout her first weekend in the championship.
Making her debut in TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School, Carter had only a small window to test her skills with her first time in the car coming during Thursday's practice session. Friday kicked off with an early morning qualifying and back to back races and the final race of a triple header weekend on Saturday morning. Despite the steep learning curve, she quickly established herself as a force on track.
In Race One, Carter started from P4 and swiftly moved into podium contention when teammate and pole sitter Jeff Ricca was forced to pit. Carter capitalized on the opportunity, maintaining clean lines and a measured approach to finish on the podium as P2, a monumental achievement for both her and the team.
Later that same day, Race 2 tested Carter's resilience after an early incident dropped her from her P6 starting position back to eighth. Demonstrating her ability to stay composed and focused under pressure, she worked her way back up, overtaking the #61 Skip Barber Racing entry on the final lap to finish where she began in sixth.
In Race 3, Carter once again started from P4 and engaged in a tight battle for third for the majority of the race with championship contender Jonathan Neudorf. For nearly 10 minutes, Carter remained within one second of the #4, nearly overtaking on multiple occasions. In the final minutes, heavy rain upended the field, allowing Neudorf’s all-wheel-drive car to pull ahead and win the race within only a few laps. Carter held firm to finish strong in one of the weekend’s most intense races.
“It was a great weekend," said Carter. "I had the chance to display my race craft and composure in a variety of situations and conditions. The team and series were both phenomenal. Ricca Autosport was incredibly professional and welcoming. They set me up for success, and I’m really grateful for the experience."
Team owner and newly crowned champion Jeff Ricca, praised Carter’s performance from the grid after Race 1. "Alana’s first time in a front-wheel drive car, killed it, absolutely killed it.”
Carter’s performance at Barber Motorsports Park not only marked a personal milestone but also signaled what might be possible for the young driver. Her adaptability, precision, and coolheaded race management stood out across the weekend, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting future.
Media Contact:
Alicia Busa | alicia@aliciabusa.com | 440-667-0079