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←Created page with '{{Short description|American racing driver (born 2004)}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox racing driver | name = Tyler Maxson | image = File:VDSR Hyundai WGI23 05.jpg | caption = Maxson's Hyundai Elantra N TCR at Watkins Glen in 2023. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|10|12|mf=y}} | birth_place = Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States | racing licence = | current series = [[IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge]...' |
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| titles = [[TC America Series]] – TCR<br>[[TC America Series]] – TCA
| title years = [[2020 TC America Series|2020]]<br>[[2019 TC America Series|2019]]
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'''Tyler Maxson''' (born October 12, 2004) is an American racing driver. Maxson was crowned champion in the [[TC America Series]] in consecutive seasons, becoming the youngest ever winner of the TCA class in 2019 before taking the TCR-class championship the following season.<ref name="TCA">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcamerica.us/news/131/tyler-maxson-wins-tca-championship-and-rookie-of-the-year|title=Tyler Maxson Wins TCA Championship and Rookie of the Year|work=[[TC America Series|TC America]]|publisher=SRO Motorsports Group America|date=October 21, 2019|accessdate=July 9, 2024}}</ref><ref name="TCR">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcamerica.us/news/299/tcr-2020-champion|title=TCR Champion: Tyler Maxson|work=[[TC America Series|TC America]]|publisher=SRO Motorsports Group America|date=October 15, 2020|accessdate=July 9, 2024}}</ref>
==Career==
===Early career===
Maxson was introduced to motorsports through his father, a local club racer who brought Tyler to the track to try [[karting]] at the age of six.<ref name="Download">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcamerica.us/news/183/driver-download-tyler-maxson|title=Driver Download: Tyler Maxson|work=[[TC America Series|TC America]]|publisher=SRO Motorsports Group America|date=March 24, 2020|accessdate=July 11, 2024}}</ref> Maxson was hooked on the experience, and began competing in local events shortly thereafter. Throughout his junior karting career, Maxson advanced rapidly through the ranks, claiming a National Mini Rok title before transitioning to cars in 2019 at just 14 years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekartingnews.com/2017/11/06/tyler-maxson-joins-crg/|title=Tyler Maxson Joins CRG|work=eKarting News|date=November 6, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Fast">{{cite web|url=https://www.mazdamotorsports.com/2019/03/19/tyler-maxson-makes-a-fast-start-in-cars/|title=Tyler Maxson makes a fast start in cars|work=Mazda Motorsports|date=March 19, 2019|accessdate=July 11, 2024}}</ref> During this time, Maxson remained a high school student, balancing online courses with his racing schedule.<ref name="Download"/>
Maxson's maiden season of pro racing involved a two-pronged effort in both the [[TC America Series]] and [[Global MX-5 Cup]], where he piloted a new ND-spec [[Mazda MX-5 (ND)|Mazda MX-5]] Cup car.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mazdamotorsports.com/2019/03/14/copeland-motorsports-faces-a-full-plate/|title=Copeland Motorsports faces a full plate|work=Mazda Motorsports|date=March 14, 2019|accessdate=July 11, 2024}}</ref> Maxson had briefly competed in [[Spec Miata]] competition, but cited his primary motivation for competing in Mazda machinery as the marque's Road to 24 ladder, which provided winning drivers with scholarship funds and the chance to drive Mazda's [[Mazda RT24-P|prototype]] offerings.<ref name="Fast"/> Maxson scored the TCA-class pole for his first pro race, and concluded the race with a podium finish. Later that season at [[Sonoma Raceway|Sonoma]], he claimed his first class victory during the first race of the weekend, and would sweep the round with another race win on Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2019/06/09/filippi-dominates-sonoma-tcr-race-2-maxson-sweeps-in-tca/|title=Filippi dominates Sonoma TCR Race 2; Maxson sweeps in TCA|work=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|date=June 9, 2019|accessdate=July 11, 2024}}</ref> With four podiums in the next six races, Maxson entered the season finale at [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]] with a 22-point deficit to points leader Nick Wittmer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mazdamotorsports.com/2019/10/29/tyler-maxson-wins-tc-america-tca-title/|title=Tyler Maxson wins TC America TCA title|work=Mazda Motorsports|date=October 29, 2019|accessdate=July 11, 2024|quote=We were 22 points back, and we knew it was going to be a really, really hard and tough challenge to get there...}}</ref> Wittmer would finish eighth in race one before retiring in race two, allowing Maxson's pair of third-place finishes to propel him to the TCA-class championship. With it, he became the youngest champion in class history, at just 15 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcamerica.us/news/131/tyler-maxson-wins-tca-championship-and-rookie-of-the-year|title=Tyler Maxson Wins TCA Championship and Rookie of the Year|work=[[TC America Series|TC America]]|publisher=SRO Motorsports Group America|date=October 21, 2019|accessdate=July 11, 2024}}</ref> Maxson's MX-5 Cup campaign began surreptitiously, with top-ten finishes in each of the six races he competed in.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2019/07/17/high-drama-in-global-mazda-mx-5-cup-first-half/|title=High drama in Global Mazda MX-5 Cup first half|work=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|date=July 17, 2019|accessdate=July 11, 2024|quote=Tyler Maxson is another strong young talent... with six top-10 results so far this season.}}</ref> However, he would not complete the 14-race season, leaving him 16th in the overall championship classification.
===TCR and IMSA expansion===
[[File:BHA Hyundai 77 WGI22.jpg|thumb|225px|Maxson's [[Hyundai Elantra N TCR]] at [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]] in 2022.]]
2020 saw Maxson jump from TCA to [[TCR Touring Car|TCR]] machinery, once again with Copeland Motorsports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2020/03/03/preview-2020-sro-tc-america/|title=Preview: 2020 SRO TC America|first=Richard S.|last=James|work=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|date=March 3, 2020|accessdate=July 11, 2024|quote=Copeland Motorsports is bringing Hyundai Veloster Ns for... Tyler Maxson and Nikko Reger.}}</ref> He enjoyed a rapid start to the campaign, sweeping each of the first three race weekends of the season and tallying nine consecutive victories before a mechanical failure at [[Road America]] ended his streak of race victories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcr-series.com/news/item/tyler-maxson-on-cloud-nine-at-road-america|title=Tyler Maxson on... cloud nine at Road America|work=TCR-Series|date=August 28, 2020|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2020/08/29/first-tc-america-win-for-smithson-in-race-2-at-road-america/|title=First TC America win for Smithson in Race 2 at Road America|work=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|date=August 29, 2020|accessdate=July 16, 2024|quote=Maxson rolled onto pit lane, mechanical issues ending his streak of nine consecutive race wins.}}</ref> Maxson would claim two more wins at [[Circuit of the Americas]] in September, taking the series championship by 67 points over second-placed [[Victor Gonzalez Jr.|Victor Gonzalez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcamerica.us/news/299/tcr-2020-champion|title=TCR Champion: Tyler Maxson|work=[[TC America Series|TC America]]|publisher=SRO Motorsports Group America|date=October 15, 2020|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref> Upon completion of his TC America program, Maxson took on a part-season drive in the [[Michelin Pilot Challenge]], acting as a tune-up for a full season program in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/impc/copeland-confirms-switch-to-imsa-debut-at-road-atlanta/|title=Copeland Confirms Move to IMSA; Debut at Road Atlanta|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=October 9, 2020|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref> Paired with fellow 16-year-old Tyler Gonzalez, Maxson scored a second-place finish in his series debut at [[Road Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2020/10/17/turner-bmw-comes-out-tops-in-caution-plagued-encounter.html|title=Turner BMW Comes Out Tops In Caution-Plagued Encounter|first=Ryan|last=Kish|work=Dailysportscar|date=October 17, 2020|accessdate=July 16, 2024|quote=Maxson had passed Lewis for the lead of the race but Lewis fought back and fended off Maxson in a nail-biting final lap.}}</ref>
The duo returned for a full-season program in 2021,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/impc/maxson-gonzalez-confirmed-in-copeland-hyundai-tcr-for-2021/|title=Maxson, Gonzalez Set for Full-Season in Copeland Hyundai TCR|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=November 10, 2020|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}</ref> with Maxson adopting the "T-Max" nickname in order to differentiate himself from Gonzalez.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedsport.com/sports-cars/imsa/gonzalez-maxson-focused-on-the-future/|title=Gonzalez & Maxson focused on the future|work=[[Speed Sport]]|date=November 20, 2020|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}</ref> The duo claimed a class pole position at [[Lime Rock Park]] alongside a pair of podium finishes en route to a 10th-place championship finish. In a one-off drive for ST Racing in the [[GT4 America Series]] round at [[Road America]], Maxson and [[Harry Gottsacker]] claimed a Silver Cup-class victory in the second race of the weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2021/08/29/quinlan-liefooghe-win-gt4-america-race-2-at-road-america/|title=Quinlan, Liefooghe win GT4 America Race 2 at Road America|work=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|date=August 29, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024|quote=The Silver class victory went to... Harry Gottsacker and Tyler Maxson.}}</ref>
2022 saw Maxson step up to the [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] factory-backed [[Bryan Herta Autosport]] operation, pairing with [[Mason Filippi]] as part of six-car entry by the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontstretch.com/2022/01/06/bryan-herta-autosport-expands-to-6-cars-in-pilot-challenge-for-2022/|title=Bryan Herta Autosport Expands to 6 Cars In Pilot Challenge For 2022|work=Fronstretch|date=January 6, 2022|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}</ref> He began the season on a high, claiming pole for the opening round at [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.touringcars.net/2022/01/tyler-maxson-kicks-off-season-in-style-with-tcr-pole-at-daytona|title=Tyler Maxson kicks off season in style with TCR pole at Daytona|work=TouringCars.net|date=January 28, 2022|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}</ref> which the duo followed up with additional poles at [[Sebring International Raceway|Sebring]], [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]], and [[Canadian Tire Motorsport Park]]. However, they would have to wait until Lime Rock to score their first podium of the season, and would conclude the campaign eighth in the TCR championship. That year, Maxson made his debut in the [[IMSA SportsCar Championship]], appearing for [[LMP3]] team MLT Motorsports at the [[6 Hours of Watkins Glen]] before finishing the season with Performance Tech Motorsports at [[Petit Le Mans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/maxson-completes-performance-tech-lineup-for-petit-le-mans/|title=Maxson Completes Performance Tech Lineup for Petit Le Mans|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=September 16, 2022|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}</ref>
Maxson's 2023 program surrounded a dual effort, continuing in the Michelin Pilot Challenge alongside a planned season-long GT4 America campaign. Continuing his Hyundai TCR efforts, Maxson joined customer racing outfit Deily Motorsports for the opening race of the season at Daytona before switching to Van der Steur Racing for the remainder of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tylermaxsonracing.com/tyler-maxson-joins-deily-motorsports-in-michelin-pilot-challenge/|title=Tyler Maxson Joins Deily Motorsports in Michelin Pilot Challenge|work=Tyler Maxson Racing|accessdate=July 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/impc/maxson-moves-to-van-der-steur-for-remainder-of-season/|title=Maxson Moves to Van der Steur for Remainder of Season|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=March 9, 2023|accessdate=July 23, 2024}}</ref> He enjoyed a year of consistent finishes, claiming podiums at Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta en route to a fourth-place championship finish. Maxson reunited with Gonzalez and Copeland Motorsports for his GT4 exploits, and claimed a pole position at COTA<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/maxson-bleekemolen-out-front-in-cota-qualifying/|title=Maxson, Bleekemolen Out Front in Qualifying at COTA|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=May 20, 2023|accessdate=July 23, 2024}}</ref> before the team dropped off the entry list following the race weekend at [[Virginia International Raceway|VIR]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/sro/world-challenge-america/road-america-friday-notebook-15/|title=Road America Friday Notebook|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=August 18, 2023|accessdate=July 23, 2024|quote=The Tyler Maxson and Tyler Gonzalez-driven No. 74 Copeland Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO [has] been withdrawn...}}</ref>
[[File:Maxson Mustang WGI24 04.jpg|thumb|225px|Maxson's [[Ford Mustang (seventh generation)#Dark Horse R|Ford Mustang Dark Horse R]] at Watkins Glen in 2024.]]
The following year, Maxson embarked on a full-season effort in the new-for-2024 [[IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge]], driving for fellow competitor Robert Noaker's family-owned operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/mustang-challenge/maxson-join-robert-noaker-racing-for-mustang-challenge/|title=Maxson Joins Robert Noaker Racing Mustang Challenge Effort|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=May 15, 2024|accessdate=July 23, 2024}}</ref> Despite the team taking delivery of the cars just over a week before the opening round at [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course|Mid-Ohio]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtd-media.com/tyler-maxson-set-for-ford-mustang-challenge-debut-this-weekend/|title=Tyler Maxson set for Ford Mustang Challenge debut this weekend|work=RTD Media|accessdate=July 23, 2024}}</ref> Maxson claimed pole position for the inaugural race, and would take his first race victory in the series during the second race of the weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/mustang-challenge/maxson-wins-action-packed-race-2-at-mid-ohio/|title=Maxson Wins Action-Packed Race 2 at Mid-Ohio|first=Jonathan|last=Grace|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=June 9, 2024|accessdate=July 23, 2024}}</ref> The following round at Watkins Glen saw Maxson sweep the weekend, re-taking the championship lead from Noaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtd-media.com/tyler-maxson-wins-back-to-back-at-watkins-glen/|title=Tyler Maxson wins back-to-back at Watkins Glen|work=RTD Media|accessdate=July 23, 2024}}</ref> He registered three podiums in the following four races, but entered the finale weekend at a 70-point deficit to Noaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/mustang-challenge/rnrs-noaker-maxson-to-decide-inaugural-title-at-indy/|title=RNR's Noaker, Maxson to Decide Inaugural Title at Indy|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=September 30, 2024|accessdate=November 9, 2024}}</ref> Despite finishing first and second respectively during the pair of races at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|Indianapolis]], Maxson fell 80 points short in the race for the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/mustang-challenge/noaker-wins-race-2-at-indy-crowned-inaugural-champion/|title=Noaker Wins Race 2 at Indy; Crowned Inaugural Champion|first=John|last=Dagys|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|date=October 4, 2024|accessdate=November 9, 2024}}</ref> Maxson also continued in the Michelin Pilot Challenge during 2024, albeit in a limited capacity. He drove for GS-class competitor [[Hattori Racing Enterprises|TGR Team Hattori Motorsports]] at Daytona, paired with Toyota factory driver [[Jack Hawksworth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://speedwaymedia.com/2024/01/23/racing-to-end-alzheimers-set-to-begin-2024-campaign-with-four-hour-imsa-race-at-daytona/|title=Racing to End Alzheimer’s set to begin 2024 campaign with four-hour IMSA race at Daytona|date=January 23, 2024|work=SpeedwayMedia|access-date=July 23, 2024}}</ref>
==Racing record==
Line 189 ⟶ 208:
|align=left| [[2024 IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge|IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge - Dark Horse]]
|align=left| Robert Noaker Racing
|10
|4
|3
|
|
|3190
|3▼
|style="background:#DFDFDF"|'''2nd'''
|-
|align=left| [[2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge|Michelin Pilot Challenge - GS]]
Line 204 ⟶ 223:
|0
|0
|140
|65th
|}
<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.
===Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
! Year
! Team
! Class
! Make
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! Rank
! Points
|rowspan="2"| [[2022 IMSA SportsCar Championship|2022]]
! MLT Motorsports
!rowspan="2"| LMP3
!rowspan="2"| [[Ligier JS P320]]
!rowspan="2"| [[Nissan VK engine|Nissan VK56DE]] 5.6 L [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#;"|[[2022 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"|[[2022 12 Hours of Sebring|SEB]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"|[[2022 Lexus Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio|MDO]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|[[2022 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen|WGL]]<br>{{small|7}}
|
|
|
!rowspan="2"| 26th
!rowspan="2"| 502
|-
! Performance Tech Motorsports
|
|
|
|
|style="background:#;"|[[2022 Chevrolet Grand Prix|MOS]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#;"|[[2022 IMSA SportsCar Weekend|ELK]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|[[2022 Petit Le Mans|PET]]<br>{{small|8}}
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{DriverDB driver|tyler-maxson}}
*[https://www.imsa.com/drivers/tyler-maxson/ Tyler Maxson] at IMSA
{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|title=[[TC America Series]]<br>TCA Champion|before=Series Founded|years=[[2019 TC America Series|2019]]|after=Kevin Boehm}}
{{succession box|title=[[TC America Series]]<br>TCR Champion|before=Michael Hurczyn|years=[[2020 TC America Series|2020]]|after=Class Folded}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxson, Tyler}}
[[Category:2004 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Racing drivers from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Lawrenceville, Georgia]]
[[Category:Michelin Pilot Challenge drivers]]
[[Category:WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers]]
[[Category:24H Series drivers]]
[[Category:Bryan Herta Autosport drivers]]
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