Official Hyundai team Ricca Autosport delivered another commanding weekend in TC America competition at Sebring International Raceway, overcoming brutal temperatures, punishing track conditions, and relentless competition to sweep the podiums, and secure critical championship momentum during one of the toughest weekends on the calendar.
Known for its notoriously rough surface and unforgiving heat, Sebring once again tested both machinery and endurance across the paddock. While several competitors struggled with mechanical failures and overheating issues throughout the weekend, Ricca Autosport’s Hyundai Elantra N TC Evo package remained composed and reliable—a testament to the team’s years of development with Hyundai and the crew’s proactive preparation behind the scenes.
The Ricca Autosport crew focused heavily on preventative maintenance throughout the event, replacing components before potential failures and carefully adapting setups to handle the extreme temperatures and relentless bumps unique to Sebring. That preparation paid off with all Hyundai entries remaining competitive deep into both races.
“The reliability and consistency of the Hyundai platform really showed this weekend,” said team owner Jeff Ricca. “Sebring exposes weaknesses quickly, and our crew did an incredible job staying ahead of anything that could become an issue. We know these cars, we know what they need in these conditions, and the partnership with Hyundai continues to give us a package capable of fighting at the front every weekend.”
The team’s collaborative mindset was equally important to the weekend’s success. Drivers participated in strategy meetings before each race with a clear focus on maximizing manufacturer points and ensuring the entire Hyundai program remained strong throughout the event.
Friday’s Race 1 saw Andre Castro in the #77 Hyundai control the pace from pole position, maintaining a steady advantage while teammate Justin Gravett kept constant pressure from behind as the pair led a dominant Ricca Autosport performance at the front of the field.
Eric Kunz delivered one of his strongest performances of the season in the #33 Hyundai, driving a clean and composed race to secure his first podium finish of 2026 and complete a Ricca Autosport podium sweep for Hyundai. Behind him, CJ Sepulveda battled aggressively through the field, climbing positions late in the race while defending against intense pressure from the Acura entries as mechanical attrition began affecting several competitors.
Shelby Mills continued to show major progress throughout the weekend, earning his best finishes of the season with disciplined, consistent driving around one of the toughest circuits on the schedule. Mills has been working closely with Bryan Herta Autosport’s Harry Gottsacker, who Ricca described as a welcomed addition to the team’s coaching, radio communication, and overall paddock development environment. PJ Groenke also rebounded from an 11th-place starting position to finish eighth and earn the EBOOST Super Fuel Hard Charger Award after steadily working his way through the field.
Race 2 on Saturday brought even hotter conditions despite the earlier start time, but Ricca Autosport again demonstrated both consistency and outright pace. Castro and Gravett traded fastest laps throughout the opening stages by margins measured in thousandths of a second before Castro secured his second victory of the weekend, while Gravett followed closely behind to continue the team’s commanding run at the front.
Another intense battle unfolded behind them as Kunz and Sepulveda spent much of the race fighting side-by-side for the final podium position. Minor contact late in the race only added to the excitement before Kunz ultimately secured another third-place finish, completing a second consecutive Ricca Autosport podium sweep, while Sepulveda crossed the line fourth after one of the most competitive drives of the weekend, trading places with Lambros in the Skip Barber Racing Acura all the way until the last lap where Sepulveda ultimately won out.
Mills’ continued development was again evident in Race 2, where he climbed to another season-best finish in sixth after tracking down competitors in the closing laps and continuing to build confidence and consistency within the Hyundai program.
The weekend also carried special meaning for Sepulveda, whose father Carlos—a former racer himself—waved the green flag for Saturday’s event.
Beyond the on-track action, Ricca Autosport and Hyundai welcomed one of the largest Florida Hyundai N Club gatherings in team history. More than 70 Hyundai N owners attended Sebring weekend activities, highlighted by a full-day hot lap program following Saturday’s race that allowed fans and club members to experience the excitement firsthand.
“The support from the Hyundai community this weekend was unbelievable,” said Ricca. “Seeing more than 70 N cars at Sebring and getting fans involved through the hot lap program made this weekend even more special for everyone involved.”
Castro leaves Sebring reclaiming his championship lead after rival Brayden Arthur encountered mechanical and contact-related setbacks during both races. Despite the strong momentum, Castro acknowledged on the broadcast that additional support will be critical to completing the full 2026 campaign.
“Not just for me—this is an opportunity to be part of a winning team and part of Hyundai,” Castro said following Race 2. “I think anyone would be lucky to be involved with this program.”
Castro is also currently a finalist for the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship program for the 2027-2028 season, further highlighting the momentum surrounding both his career and the Ricca Autosport program.
With Sebring complete, Ricca Autosport now shifts focus toward the next rounds of TC America competition carrying strong championship momentum, proven reliability, and growing support from both the Hyundai community and paddock alike.
Andre Castro – #77 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo
“What an incredible weekend down in Sebring with Ricca Autosport. I was cautiously optimistic entering the weekend, and it ended up blowing all my expectations out of the water. Sweeping the podium both days with all Hyundais was the best case scenario for us as a team, and puts us back at the top of the manufacturers’ standings. I retook the lead in the drivers’ standings with two poles and two wins, as well! Thanks to HMA, GenRacer, and Borkan & Scahill LTD for making it possible for me to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity. I hope to keep the momentum going into Road Atlanta so I can obtain the funding to finish the season.”
Justin Gravett – #8 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo
“Coming home second in both races was absolutely amazing and the closest I’ve ever been to a win so far this season. Florida brought the heat and humidity all weekend long, but the team gave me an amazing Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo and we were able to put together some really strong results. Huge thank you to Ricca Autosport, Hyundai and everyone who continues to support me along the way - especially all the fans and N Club Florida members for coming out this weekend. We keep getting closer and learning more every race weekend. Road Atlanta, here we come!”
PJ Groenke – #76 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo
“Sebring was not my friend this year. I’m not used to not being up front battling for overall podiums and frustrated with the results. I can’t explain the lack of pace. Thanks to the reliability of our Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo we were able to bring home the Masters Class win and EBOOST Super Fuel Hard Charger Award in Race 1. Looking forward to getting back up front where I belong at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta next month!”
Eric Kunz – #33 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo
“Back to back third places in the #33 Hyundai Hope on Wheels car this past weekend. On top of that, Ricca Autosport swept both podiums! Sebring is a track I feel confident at, it was great to build confidence and start to build on my consistency. I felt great about my performance at Sebring and I’m hoping to bring that momentum to Road Atlanta in a few weeks. Thank you so much to Ricca Autosport for an amazing weekend!”
CJ Sepúlveda – #78 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo
“Sebring never disappoints. The combination of a huge N Community attendance and hispanic fans was just what I needed to feel at home and confident. Thankfully, the heat posed little challenge to me physically, and the N1 TC Evo also took it like a champ. Race 2 was extra special because I had my father, whom is my mentor and biggest supporter from the very beginning, waving the green flag! I am disappointed for falling short of a much desired podium finish after having such a strong pace, but it’s all part of the learning process. With this TC America chapter closed, my mind is on full blast towards the N24hr with HMC. Now that is going to be a trip for the history books.”
Shelby Mills – Fawn Group Motorsports by Ricca #18 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO
“What a great weekend of improvements at Sebring for me! It felt great to come home with double P6’s and a perfect weekend for Hyundai looking at the bigger picture. Working with Harry Gottsacker has been a huge advantage, and the gap to the front runners is measured in tenths now instead of seconds. I can’t thank Harry, my mechanic Michael, and the whole Fawn Group MS by Ricca team enough for another flawless weekend. Bring on Road Atlanta!”
Media Contact:
Alicia Busa
alicia@aliciabusa.com
440-667-0079
About Ricca Autosport:
Ricca Autosport is the official SRO Hyundai USA partner competing in the SRO TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing School. A Motorsports Logistics Company, Ricca Autosport offers sales, support, and service. With three team and manufacturer championships and two driver championships since 2023 they have the race winning experience and hardware to deliver results for their partners and drivers. For more information, visit ricca-autosport.com and tcamerica.us