Tyler Gonzalez

Last updated

Tyler Gonzalez
Hyundai Veloster N (TCR Class -19) (52228505909).jpg
Gonzalez in 2022
Born
Tyler Gonzalez

(2004-07-19) 19 July 2004 (age 21)
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg American
Racing licence FIA Silver Driver.png FIA Silver
Championship titles
2023Toyota GR Cup North America

Tyler Gonzalez (born 19 July 2004) is an American racing driver competing for BSI Racing in the Mazda MX-5 Cup, Victor Gonzalez Racing Team in Michelin Pilot Challenge and RAFA Racing Team in GT4 America Series.

Contents

Career

Karting and car racing debut (2012–2019)

Gonzalez began karting in 2012. Racing in karts until 2019, Gonzalez most notably won the Florida Winter Tour in Mini Max and the SKUSA SuperNationals in X30 Junior in 2016, [1] [2] before following that up with Junior Rok and Rotax Junior titles in the Florida Winter Tour the following year. [3] [4]

In his last year of full-time karting in 2018, Gonzalez joined Copeland Motorsports to make his car racing debut in the Mazda MX-5 Cup at the non-championship invitational round at Sebring. [5] Following that, Gonzalez returned to the team in 2019 to compete in his first full season of car racing. [6] Having taken a best result of fifth at Barber, Gonzalez left the series after three rounds, and joined Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian for the final round of that year's TC America season in the TCA class. [7]

Maiden season in Touring cars and MX-5 Cup return (2020–2022)

Gonzalez at the Mid-Ohio round of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup season Car 51, Mazda MX-5 Cup, Super Touring 5 (52040778873).jpg
Gonzalez at the Mid-Ohio round of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup season

Staying in TC America for 2020, Gonzalez remained in the TCA class but switched to Copeland Motorsports for his first full-season in the series. [8] Having taken an early championship lead by winning four times in the first three rounds, [9] but after scoring only three podiums in the last three rounds, Gonzalez ended the year third in points as Kevin Boehm won the title. [10] At the end of the year, Gonzalez made his debut in the TCR class of the Michelin Pilot Challenge alongside Tyler Maxson with Copeland Motorsports. [11] Racing at both Road Atlanta and Sebring, the duo scored their maiden series podium in the latter by finishing second. [12]

Returning to Michelin Pilot Challenge and Copeland Motorsports for 2021, [13] he and Maxson scored the pole at Lime Rock Park alongside a pair of podium finishes at the former and at Road Atlanta en route to a 10th-place championship finish. [14] [15] [16]

Gonzalez returned to the series the following year, switching to Van der Steur Racing for his sophomore season, [17] with whom he scored a lone podium at Laguna Seca on his way to ninth in points in the Hyundai Veloster TCR's final full season in TCR competition. [18] Alongside his sophomore season in Michelin Pilot Challenge, Gonzalez also returned to the Mazda MX-5 Cup, where he competed with Copeland Motorsports. Running in all but one round, Gonzalez won at Daytona, [19] Watkins Glen, [20] Virginia International Raceway and Road Atlanta to end the season 11th in points. [21] [22]

Toyota Development Driver and maiden title in cars (2023–)

Gonzalez at the Watkins Glen round of the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge season VGRT Elantra 99 WGI24 01.jpg
Gonzalez at the Watkins Glen round of the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge season

Having become a Toyota Development Driver in late 2022, Gonzalez returned to Copeland Motorsports to race in the newly-created Toyota GR Cup North America, [23] as well as returning to the Mazda MX-5 Cup and making his GT4 America debut with them. [24] After becoming GR Cup North America's first ever winner at Sonoma, [25] Gonzalez took six more wins as he became the series' inaugural champion. [26] In the other two series, Gonzalez once again won the season-opening race at Daytona in the former, [27] whereas in GT4 America, Gonzalez took a lone podium at Circuit of the Americas. [28]

After racing in the last three rounds of the 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge with Victor Gonzalez Racing Team's Hyundai Elantra N TCR, [29] Gonzalez returned to the team for the following year for his third full-time season in the series' TCR class. [30] Racing alongside a revolving door of drivers, Gonzalez took his only podium of the season at Virginia International Raceway alongside Morgan Burkhard. [31] During 2024, Gonzalez also raced for Saito Motorsport Group in the Mazda MX-5 Cup and Smooge Racing in the GT4 America Series. [32] In the former, Gonzalez took a lone win at Sebring, [33] whereas in the latter, Gonzalez won at Sonoma and Indianapolis as he ended the year fourth in the Silver Cup points. [34] [35]

Gonzalez returned to Victor Gonzalez Racing Team for 2025, [36] whilst also joining RAFA Racing Team and BSI Racing to compete in both GT4 America and Mazda MX-5 Cup. [37]

Karting record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2012Florida Winter Tour — Micro Max42nd
Florida Winter Tour — Vortex TaG Cadet41st
2013Florida Winter Tour — Micro Max6th
RMC Grand Finals — Micro Max7th
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG CadetNC
2014Florida Winter Tour — Mini Max13th
Florida Winter Tour — TaG CadetAM Racing Team8th
2015Florida Winter Tour — Mini Max5th
Florida Pro Kart Winter Series – VortexNC
2016Florida Winter Tour — Mini Max1st
Florida Winter Tour — Junior Rok8th
SKUSA SuperNationals — X30 Junior1st
2017Florida Winter Tour — Junior Rok1st
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Junior1st
Orlando Cup — Junior Rok2nd
Karting World ChampionshipOKJ Paul Carr Racing17th
RMC Grand Finals — Junior MaxSRA Karting Int25th
SKUSA SuperNationals — X30 JuniorSpeed Concepts Racing15th
2018Orlando Cup — Junior Rok1st
Florida Winter Tour — Junior Rok4th
SKUSA Pro Tour — X30 Junior4th
Rok the Rio — Junior RokTeam Benik7th
SKUSA SuperNationals — X30 Junior38th
Karting World ChampionshipOKJ CRGNC
2019Biloxi ROK Fest — Shifter RokZanella Racing17th
Orlando Cup — Shifter Rok Senior4th
Sources: [38] [39] [40]

Racing record

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2019 Mazda MX-5 Cup Copeland Motorsports600005017th
TC America Series – TCA Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian 200000NC
SCCA Majors Championship Nationwide – Spec Miata400003733rd
2020 TC America Series – TCA Copeland Motorsports16501112113rd
Michelin Pilot Challenge – TCR 200015317th
2021 Michelin Pilot Challenge – TCR Copeland Motorsports100112228010th
2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup Copeland Motorsports124015239011th
Michelin Pilot Challenge – TCR Van der Steur Racing10011123209th
2023 Mazda MX-5 Cup Copeland Motorsports61013158019th
Toyota GR Cup North America TGR Copeland Motorsports13756122591st
GT4 America Series – Silver 70101639th
Michelin Pilot Challenge – TCR Victor Gonzalez Racing Team 3000078026th
Trans-Am Series – TA2 Nitro Motorsports100002263rd
2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Saito Motorsport Group121002199016th
Michelin Pilot Challenge – TCR Victor Gonzalez Racing Team 10001124408th
GT4 America Series – Silver TGR Smooge Racing1322151844th
Trans-Am Series – TA2 Nitro Motorsports4000334514th
2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup BSI Racing1050052440*3rd*
Michelin Pilot Challenge – TCR Victor Gonzalez Racing Team 700121680*7th*
GT4 America Series – Silver RAFA Racing Team71004131*2nd*
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Pro-Am 21001**
Trans-Am Series – TA2 Nitro Motorsports20011158*22nd*
Source: [38]

Complete Mazda MX-5 Cup results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position. Races in italics indicate fastest race lap in class. Results are overall/class)

YearTeam1234567891011121314RankPoints
2019 Copeland Motorsports COA
1

10
COA
2

9
BAR
1

28
BAR
2

5
ELK
1

30
ELK
2

28
MOH
1
MOH
2
POR
1
POR
2
LGA
1
LGA
2
17th50
2022 Copeland Motorsports DAY
1

1
DAY
2

20
STP
1

28
STP
2

10
MOH
1

26
MOH
2

7
WGL
1

1
WGL
2

28
ELK
1
ELK
2
VIR
1

1
VIR
2

24
ATL
1

3
ATL
2

1
11th2390
2023 Copeland Motorsports DAY
1

1
DAY
2

2
STP
1

7
STP
2

25
LGA
1
LGA
2
WGL
1
WGL
2
ELK
1
ELK
2
VIR
1
VIR
2
ATL
1

2
ATL
2

4
19th1580
2024 Saito Motorsport Group DAY
1

2
DAY
2

8
SEB
1

1
SEB
2

26
LAG
1

16
LAG
2

14
MOH
1

27
MOH
2

10
MOS
1
MOS
2
VIR
1

23
VIR
2

DNS
ATL
1

18
ATL
2

6
16th1990
2025 BSI Racing DAY
1

1
DAY
2

34
STP
1

16
STP
2

1
LAG
1

1
LAG
2

1
MOH
1

7
MOH
2

31
MOS
1

1
MOS
2

10
VIR
1

VIR
2

ATL
1

ATL
2

3rd*2440*

* Season still in progress

Complete TC America Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamCarClass12345678910111213141516PosPoints
2019 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec TCA AUS
1

AUS
2

STP
1

STP
2

VIR
1

VIR
2

SON
1

SON
2

POR
1

POR
2

WGL
1

WGL
2

ROA
1

ROA
2

LVG
1

14
LVG
2

12
NC0
2020 Copeland Motorsports Hyundai Veloster Turbo TCA AUS1
1

20
AUS1
2

27
VIR
1

21
VIR
2

21
VIR
3

17
SON
1

15
SON
2

16
SON
3

5
ROA
1

Ret
ROA
2

Ret
ROA
3

DSQ
AUS2
1

20
AUS2
2

22
AUS2
3

9
IMS
1

4
IMS
2

8
3rd211

Complete Michelin Pilot Challenge results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassMake12345678910RankPoints
2020 Copeland MotorsportsTouring Car Hyundai Veloster N TCR DAY SEB ELK VIR ATL MOH
1
MOH
2
ATL
10
LAG SEB
2
17th53
2021 Copeland MotorsportsTouring Car Hyundai Veloster N TCR DAY
15
SEB
13
MOH
4
WGI
1

14
WGI
2

14
LRP
3
RAM
7
LAG
11
VIR
4
ATL
3
10th2280
2022 Van der Steur RacingTouring Car Hyundai Veloster N TCR DAY
5
SEB
6
LGA
3
MOH
4
WGL
12
MOS
14
LIM
9
ELK
8
VIR
6
ATL
14
9th2320
2023 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Touring Car Hyundai Elantra N TCR DAY
SEB
LGA
WGL
MOS
LIM
ELK
VIR
4
IMS
7
ATL
5
26th780
2024 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Touring Car Hyundai Elantra N TCR DAY
10
SEB
7
LGA
7
MOH
14
WGL
10
MOS
10
ELK
8
VIR
2
IMS
10
ATL
11
8th2440
2025 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Touring Car Hyundai Elantra N TCR DAY
11
SEB
6
LGA
12
MOH
8
WGL
2
MOS
2
7th*1680*
Cupra León VZ TCR ELK
14
VIR
IMS
ATL

References

  1. "Florida Winter Tour Rotax champions crowned in changing conditions". motorsport.com. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  2. "Great show in Las Vegas for the 2016 Skusa Supernationals". tkart.it. 20 November 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  3. "Gonzalez Triumphs with Junior ROK Win and Championship". canadiankartingnews.com. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  4. "Florida Winter Tour Crowns Rotax Champions in Ocala". canadiankartingnews.com. 19 March 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  5. "Nathanial Sparks reels in Global MX-5 Challenge Cup top prize at Sebring". autoweek.com. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  6. "Tyler Gonzalez Makes Mazda MX-5 Global Cup Debut with Copeland Motorsports". copelandmotorsports.com. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  7. "Tyler Gonzalez Makes TC America Debut with Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport". tcamerica.us. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  8. "Tyler Gonzalez Rejoins Copeland Motorsports in Hyundai TCA Program". tcamerica.us. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  9. "Tyler Gonzalez Looks to Extend TCA Championship Points Lead at Road America". tcamerica.us. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  10. "TCA Champion: Kevin Boehm". tcamerica.us. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  11. "Copeland Confirms Move to IMSA; Debut at Road Atlanta". sportscar365.com. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  12. Kish, Ryan (17 October 2020). "Turner BMW Comes Out Tops In Caution-Plagued Encounter". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  13. Dagys, John (10 November 2020). "Maxson, Gonzalez Set for Full-Season in Copeland Hyundai TCR". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  14. Dagys, John (16 July 2021). "Gallagher Takes Lime Rock Pole in Shortened GS Session". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  15. Dagys, John (17 July 2021). "Mosing, Foss Take Murillo's First Win in Four Years at Lime Rock". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  16. Lloyd, Daniel (12 November 2021). "Heylen Captures GS Title in Incident-Fraught Title Decider". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  17. Dagys, John (22 December 2021). "Gonzalez Switches to Van Der Steur Hyundai". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  18. Goodwin, Graham (1 May 2022). "Volt Racing Aston Martin Takes The Win At Laguna Seca". dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  19. "Gonzalez Delivers In Rainy MX-5 Cup Opener". speedsport.com. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  20. "Gonzales Takes MX-5 Cup Win At Watkins Glen". speedsport.com. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  21. "Gonzales, from last to first, wins MX-5 Cup thriller at VIR". racer.com. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  22. "Thomas Clinches Mazda MX-5 Cup Title By 10 Points". speedsport.com. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  23. "TOYOTA DEVELOPMENT DRIVER TYLER GONZALEZ SET FOR INAUGURAL TOYOTA GR CUP SEASON WITH COPELAND MOTORSPORTS". copelandmotorsports.com. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  24. "Maxson, Gonzalez to Reunite in Copeland Toyota Supra GT4". sportscar365.com. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  25. "Tyler Gonzalez Makes History in Inaugural Toyota GR Cup Race Weekend". grcupseries.com. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  26. "Toyota Gazoo Racing North America Crowns a Champion at Indy". pressroom.toyota.com. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  27. "Gonzalez Wins Electrifying Mazda MX-5 Cup Opener". speedsport.com. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  28. "Auto Technic Racing BMW & Flying Lizard Aston Martin No.2 Take COTA Victories". dailysportscar.com. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  29. "Cristian Perocarpi, Tyler González Confirmados en VGRT Racing Team". sportscarenespanol.com (in Spanish). 1 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  30. "Tyler Gonzalez, Victor Gonzalez Jr Regresan a IMSA 2024 en Hyundai Elantra N TCR No. 99". sportscarenespanol.com (in Spanish). 15 December 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  31. "BGB Porsche Wins At VIR After RS1 Porsche Shines Early". dailysportscar.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  32. "Gonzalez Steps into GT4 America With Smooge Racing". sportscar365.com. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  33. "Gonzalez Makes Last-Lap Pass For Mazda MX-5 Cup Victory". speedsport.com. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  34. "Gonzalez Holds Off BMWs for Saturday Smooge Victory". sportscar365.com. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  35. "Smooge Racing Wins Race 1 At Indy". dailysportscar.com. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  36. "VGRT Racing Team Confirma a Tyler Gonzalez, Erick Powell en Hyundai Elantra N TCR No. 99". sportscarenespanol.com (in Spanish). 21 November 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  37. "RAFA Racing Confirms GT4 Drivers in Expanded Toyota Effort". sportscar365.com. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  38. 1 2 "Tyler Gonzalez | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  39. Kartcom. "Gonzalez Tyler" . Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  40. Kartcom. "Gonzales Tyler" . Retrieved 18 August 2025.