While TC America championship leader Andre Castro has seen a great deal of success so far in the opening half of this season, the journey to get there was far from straightforward. The hardships and hurdles he has had to overcome along the way also mean that the title fight is about more than just a points battle. It has been about proving, after years of fighting simply to remain behind the wheel, what he can do when given the opportunity to compete at the front.
Driving the No. 77 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO, Castro has made the most of that opportunity. Three victories and four podium finishes across eight rounds have put him at the top of the overall championship standings heading into Road America, where he carries a 10-point advantage over his nearest rival. He also leads the Hyundai N Trophy Cup standings.
And while the numbers tell the story of a highly fruitful season, they only begin to explain what the year has meant to Castro.
“I got my first wins in eight years really, and my first overall wins in about 10 years,” Castro said. “It’s been really nice to kind of have good equipment again and show what I can do.”
That sense of appreciation has been a recurring theme throughout Castro’s campaign. After years of moving between teams and series, sometimes without the resources or machinery needed to consistently fight at the sharp end of the field, 2026 has finally provided him with a proven package, an established team and the opportunity to fully concentrate on racing.
The result has been a driver who has rarely been out of contention. Castro’s three victories have been accompanied by an impressive run of consistency. He has stepped onto the podium in all but one race so far, and even when victory has not been realistic, he believes he has generally extracted everything available from his Hyundai.
With Toyota, Acura and Hyundai competing for manufacturer supremacy, Castro has seen the relative performance shift from track to track. That has required an ability to focus on what is within his control rather than simply arriving at every circuit expecting to win.
“It’s been about adjusting our expectations every weekend and getting the most out of every single venue that we visit,” he explained. “There are some races where I felt like I did what I could, even if the win wasn’t on the cards.”
His only non-podium result of the season came in the most recent round, leaving him with plenty of time during the lengthy summer break to reflect on what might have been. Castro admits he would have preferred the opportunity to get back behind the wheel quickly and put the disappointment behind him.
“I kind of wanted another race to come quickly after that so I could redeem myself,” he stated. “But instead I’ve been sitting on that for a couple months. Generally, I’ve been lucky that the majority of my races have been good. So when there is a bit of a let down, it’s about trying to get over that, learn what you can from it, and go forward.”
While Castro’s results have been the most visible sign of his progress, the season has also changed the way he approaches his role within a racing program. Working alongside a large group of Ricca Autosport teammates, some of whom have changed from race to race, has forced him to become a stronger communicator. In addition to this he has found himself thinking beyond his own championship.
“Most of my racing in the past has not really required me to think about a manufacturer and their overall goals,” Castro reflected. “It’s been cool to feel like I’m working for the bigger picture in a sense, not just for my own championship, but for Hyundai, who’s been really good to me.”
Castro described his transition to Ricca Autosport as relatively seamless, allowing him to focus on his own responsibilities rather than spending valuable energy trying to solve problems that an established team already knows how to address. From car preparation to setup work, he has confidence that the infrastructure and solid foundation is there.
“I just have to focus on doing my job, and I know that everything else is going to be well taken care of,” he said.
That confidence has allowed Castro to concentrate on the things that matter most once the helmet goes on, but leading a championship inevitably brings pressure, something he does not pretend otherwise.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it,” he admitted.
But there is also a certain freedom that comes with holding the advantage, albeit a small one. With 153 points on the board, Castro knows he is in the position every driver wants to occupy heading into the second half of a season.
And he also understands that not everything is within his control, and that reality helps keep the championship pressure in perspective. Castro cannot control the relative pace of his rivals. He can control his execution and his ability to avoid mistakes.
“I don’t think my preparation or my mentality changes too much,” Castro said. “It’s about trying to get the most out of every weekend without going too far and overstepping the line or making an error.”
That mindset will be put back into practice at Road America. After a lengthy summer break, Castro is eager to return to competition, but he does not expect the time away to create a major hurdle. If anything, Road America is one of the circuits where he feels most comfortable.
“I think it’s one of the tracks where I definitely have the most laps,” he confirmed. “I’m feeling pretty confident.”
For Castro, the championship chase represents something much bigger than a trophy or a prize. After years of doing whatever he could to remain in racing, a championship would provide tangible validation and a potential pathway to continue building a career behind the wheel.
“The goal has always been to keep racing as long as I can and make it into a career,” he shared.
Winning either the overall championship or the Hyundai N Trophy Cup would represent a major step toward that goal. Winning both would be the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. But he is careful not to get ahead of himself, with three race weekends still remaining.
If the season ends with a championship, however, Castro already knows who he wants to share that moment with. He points to team owner Jeff Ricca, car chief Liam Dreyer, and the entire team, as people who have played a role in putting him in championship contention.
“I just want to give the championship to all of them,” he smiled.
To see Andre Castro and the Ricca Autosport fleet in action as the season resumes at Road America in late August, get your tickets now!
