Andre Castro capped a standout season in TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School by claiming the Hyundai N Trophy Cup championship, earning 216 points and securing an opportunity to compete against Hyundai drivers from around the world in South Korea later this month.
The Hyundai N Trophy Cup, a championship-within-a-championship, returned for its second season in 2026 after debuting at Circuit of The Americas in 2025. Running alongside TC America, the initiative continues to strengthen Hyundai’s presence in North American touring car racing, providing an additional competitive target for eligible Hyundai entries while creating opportunities for driver development and international advancement.
Castro emerged as the leading Hyundai competitor throughout the season, finishing as the top-scoring Hyundai driver in six of the 10 rounds, and his consistent performances secured him a reward that extends well beyond the North American paddock.
At the end of October, Castro will travel to South Korea to compete alongside Hyundai N Cup drivers in the final rounds of the Korean Hyundai N Festival season. Supported by Ricca Autosport team owner Jeff Ricca, the trip will give Castro the opportunity to represent the Hyundai program on an international stage, and gain valuable experience in the process.
“I got to celebrate my first ever championship in the N Cup, and am so grateful to the team, Hyundai, and my partners for making this season a reality,” Castro said. “It was an amazing, life changing season and I’m sad it’s over, but so happy it happened!”
The Hyundai N Trophy Cup was developed to add another dimension to the TC America competition, allowing eligible Hyundai drivers to pursue recognition within the broader championship. Following its inaugural season in 2025, the Trophy Cup has continued to establish itself as a meaningful addition to the TC America paddock. By combining championship recognition, financial support and an international racing opportunity, the program provides drivers and teams with additional incentives to compete while supporting Hyundai’s broader driver-development ambitions.
Castro’s championship and upcoming trip to South Korea serve as a tangible example of that pathway in action. His achievement also highlights the broader development taking place within the Hyundai racing program.
“I'm incredibly proud of what this team accomplished this season,” Ricca said. “We brought six cars to Indianapolis, fought for multiple championships and continued to develop drivers who are proving themselves both in TC America and beyond. That's a credit to the hard work of our crew, the commitment of our drivers and the partners who believe in what we're building.”
Ricca also pointed to Castro’s title as an example of the program’s potential, emphasizing the progress made throughout the season and the importance of the support received from Hyundai and the N Club community.
“Andre winning the Hyundai N Trophy Cup championship and all the progress of the drivers are great examples of what this program can achieve,” Ricca continued. “We're also grateful for the support Hyundai and the N Club community have shown us all year.”
As Castro prepares for his international debut in South Korea, his championship marks another step forward for a program designed to connect competitive opportunities in North America with Hyundai’s global motorsport ambitions.