Ricca Autosport heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with multiple championships on the line

Ricca Autosport heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with multiple championships on the line

Ricca Autosport heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend with multiple championships on the line as the 2026 TC America season comes down to its final two races. Andre Castro enters the finale leading the Driver Championship by eight points, while Ricca Autosport sits just five points out of the Team Championship and Hyundai trails Toyota by 14 points in the Manufacturer Championship.

Castro's No. 77 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO will lead a six-car Ricca Autosport effort at the Brickyard, with Justin Gravett, Shelby Mills, Eric Kunz, Alex Gutierrez and Matan Rosenberg joining the championship fight. Gutierrez will make his Ricca Autosport debut in the No. 75 Hyundai, while Castro also leads the Hyundai N Trophy Cup by 18 points over teammate Gravett.

Fast Facts:

  • Four Championships on the Line – Andre Castro leads the TC America Driver Championship, Ricca Autosport is five points out of the Team Championship, and Hyundai trails Toyota by 14 points in the Manufacturer Championship. Castro also leads the Hyundai N Trophy Cup.

  • Six Cars at the Brickyard – Ricca Autosport will field six Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVOs: No. 8 Justin Gravett, No. 18 Shelby Mills, No. 33 Eric Kunz, No. 75 Alex Gutierrez, No. 77 Andre Castro and No. 78 Matan Rosenberg.

  • Alex Gutierrez Makes Ricca Debut – Gutierrez joins the team for the Indianapolis finale after racing Spec Miata and endurance cars including the BMW M2 CS and Porsche 991.2 Cup. He most recently finished third in class in the NLS 6-hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with Sorg Rennsport.

  • Final Two Rounds – The Indianapolis doubleheader will determine the 2026 TC America Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championships, as well as the Hyundai N Trophy Cup.

Everything Comes Down to Indianapolis

Ricca Autosport arrives at Indianapolis with the opportunity to close the 2026 season with multiple championships. Andre Castro holds the most visible position in the fight, entering the finale with an eight-point advantage in the TC America Driver Championship. But the team has just as much at stake, sitting only five points behind JMF Motorsports in the Team Championship with six Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVOs entered for the final two races.

The Manufacturer Championship adds another layer to the weekend. Hyundai enters Indianapolis with 242 points, 14 behind Toyota, meaning the performance of the Hyundai field across the final two races will determine whether the manufacturer can close the gap and claim the championship.

For Ricca Autosport, the six-car lineup provides both a championship challenge and an opportunity to maximize points across the field. Castro, Gravett, Mills, Kunz, Gutierrez and Rosenberg will each play a role in the team's final push at the Brickyard.

Castro is also fighting for the Hyundai N Trophy Cup, where he holds an 18-point advantage over teammate Justin Gravett. The championship-within-a-championship gives Ricca Autosport another title opportunity at Indianapolis, with both drivers among the Hyundai competitors fighting for the final two rounds.

With eight points separating Castro from the Driver Championship and only five points separating Ricca Autosport from the Team Championship, every position will matter when the green flag falls at Indianapolis.

Alex Gutierrez Joins Ricca Autosport for Season Finale

Gutierrez will make his first start with Ricca Autosport at Indianapolis, bringing an endurance racing background to the team's six-car lineup. He began racing in Spec Miata before moving into endurance competition, racing cars including the BMW M2 CS and Porsche 991.2 Cup. Most recently, he made his Nürburgring Nordschleife debut in the NLS 6-hour race with Sorg Rennsport, finishing third in class.

The Indianapolis weekend will mark Gutierrez's first opportunity to work with the Ricca Autosport crew and his first TC America start.

Team Notes for Indianapolis

Indianapolis Motor Speedway's 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course presents a different challenge from the technical Barber Motorsports Park circuit where Ricca Autosport last raced. With the Driver, Team and Manufacturer championships all still undecided, consistency and execution will be critical across the final two races.

"We've worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position, and now it comes down to two races," said Jeff Ricca. "Andre has the lead, we're right there in the Team Championship, and Hyundai has a chance to fight for the Manufacturer Championship. Having six cars gives us a strong opportunity to maximize our points, but everyone has to execute. We're also excited to welcome Alex to the team for Indy. He brings some great endurance racing experience, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do with us."

For Ricca Autosport, the objective is straightforward: maximize every opportunity, keep the Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVOs at the front and bring the 2026 season to a championship finish.

Race 1 is scheduled for Friday, October 9 at 4:50 p.m. ET. Race 2 is scheduled for Sunday, October 11 at 9:35 a.m. ET. Both races will be available through TC America's live coverage and the GT World YouTube channel.

Additional information, including session results, driver quotes and media assets, will be available following the event weekend.

Justin Gravett – #8 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO

“It’s the Final race weekend of the year! We’re heading to Indianapolis ready to finish the season strong. There’s something pretty special about getting to race at a place with this much history, and I’m looking forward to taking it all in and making the most of the weekend. Huge thank you to Ricca Autosport and Hyundai for everything this season. One last weekend, let’s make it a good one!”

Eric Kunz – #33 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO

“I’m really looking forward to closing out the season at Indy with Ricca Autosport and supporting the team and my teammates with the championship fight. I’m also proud to have one more opportunity to race the #33 and represent Hyundai Hope on Wheels. It’s been a true honor to carry that livery this season.

Andre Castro – #77 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO

“I can't believe it's already the end of the season. It's been an amazing time with the whole team, and I'll remember this year for the rest of my life. This weekend the goal is to take home both the TC America championship and the Hyundai N Trophy Cup title. I'll give it all I have and leave nothing on the table. Celebrating one or two championships at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway would be incredible, so I'm extremely motivated and looking forward to the challenge.”

Alex Gutierrez – #75 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO

“I’m really excited to join Ricca Autosport for the final weekend at Indy. It’ll be my first SRO weekend and my first time racing a front-wheel-drive car, so there will be a lot that’s new for me. My focus is on getting up to speed, working well with the team and making the most of the weekend. I’m grateful to Jeff and everyone at Ricca for having me and I’m looking forward to getting on track.”

Matan Rosenberg – #78 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend at Indy! It will be a new track for me so I’ll have a lot to learn and I’ll have to do it quickly. I’m hoping to finish the season out strong with the team and enjoy my last race weekend of the 2026 season!”

Shelby Mills – Fawn Group Motorsports by Ricca
#18 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO

“I’m looking forward to getting on track at Indianapolis for the first time, I’ve been putting simulator time in trying to prepare as much as possible. Still on a high from the weekend results at Barber and looking to carry that momentum into the final weekend of the season. I look forward to supporting my teammate as much as I can in clinching the drivers championship, and doing what I can for Hyundai and Ricca Autosport in the Manufacturers & teams championships.”

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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