Mid-Ohio 120

LEXINGTON, Ohio  —  After a brief two-week break from IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition, Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson, with the support of the Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) team, will be back behind the wheel of the No. 54 Universal Coating Hyundai Elantra N TCR car this weekend for the Mid-Ohio 120. 

The two-hour race at the 2.258-mile, 13-corner Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio is scheduled to go green at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 14.

“I’m very excited to get back racing at Mid-Ohio,” said Johnson. “This is kind of like a home race to me since it’s only a few hours away. I have always liked the challenges here and the excitement it gives with all the elevation. I hope we can use our momentum from Laguna and get a good result. Let’s win this!”

All IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races are streamed live in the United States on Peacock. IMSA Radio also provides live audio coverage of select Michelin Pilot Challenge practice, qualifying sessions and full-length coverage of all races.

In their last outing, Johnson and Simpson were hampered by a problem in the pits and then a mechanical issue late in the race, finishing sixth for the second consecutive time at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120 aticonic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in central California. 

Last year at Mid-Ohio, Johnson and Simpson struggled to find their groove, placing 10th. The season prior, the duo earned a podium finish, placing third. 

“I am looking forward to the race at Mid-Ohio,” said Simpson. “It’s about as close to a home race for Michael and me as we have. I live in Indianapolis, about a three and a half hour drive from Mid-Ohio, so I am going to have family and friends come over to watch. We are definitely looking for a solid result. We have had a great car and been very fast in all three races this season but, for one reason or another, have not had the result at the end to show for the hard work. We are really looking to change that this weekend. Our crew has been working hard and the car is handling very well, so the main focus is to come away with a solid result for us and our crew.”

Weather could play a factor in the race, as the forecast for Saturday is calling for potential thunderstorms with temperatures in the high 70s. Winds will be light, from the south at seven miles per hour. 

For the next leg of the 2022 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Johnson, Simpson and the BHA team will travel to southwestern New York State for the Tioga Downs Casino Resort 120, as part of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, at famed Watkins Glen International in the town of Dix. The two-hour race at the 3.4-mile, 11-corner track is scheduled for a 3:35 p.m. start on Saturday, June 25.