Robert Wickens and Mark Wilkins took the top spot of the podium this weekend at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort 120 at Watkins Glen International. The race victory was Wickens’ first since 2017.
The driver, once a rising star in the world of open-wheel racing, became paralyzed in 2018 following an IndyCar accident. Earlier this year, though, it was announced that the indefatigable driver would race once again with Hyundai.
In an Elantra N TCR that’s being setup by Bryan Herta Autosport and features hand-controls, Wickens has been racing alongside fellow Canadian Mark Wilkins. Although the car features hand controls, it also has more traditional controls for Wilkins. Combined with Wickens injuries, driver changes have been challenging this season.
Read Also: Robert Wickens Will Return To Racing In Hyundai Elantra N TCR After 2018 Spinal Injury
“Every race this year, we’ve lost positions in the driver change,” said Wickens. “This week, we kept the lead. I had a lot of emotion, internally.”
Despite not qualifying on pole, the Elantra N TCR was strong and Wickens said that it had been set up for the longer runs of the two-hour race. Thanks to that pace, the drivers were able to take advantage of a pit stop surrounding a yellow-flag caution period to slip into the lead before Wilkins eventually took the checkered flag.
“I had a lot of emotion, internally. I didn’t want to happy-cry, but there were some tears in my eyes,” said Wickens. “Those closing laps were weird, not driving the car to victory. That said, I had all trust in the world that Mark wasn’t going to make a mistake. He’s such a professional.”
Wickens and Wilkins are now in sixth place in the Hyundai Championship standings, but they feel that this win may help give them the momentum they need to fight for the championship.
“It’s been a tough few races, and that takes the wind out of your sails, but you have to dig,” said Wilkins. “That’s what we did today.”
Ultimately, though, the driver seems happy to celebrate the result.
“It feels great to be back in victory lane,” said Wilkins. “I’m super happy for Robert. He was rockin’ all weekend—super fast pace. That’s what we expect.”
