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Ricca sweeps TC America at Sonoma
The TC America powered by Skip Barber field wrapped up their time at Sonoma Raceway with the second of two 25-minute sprint races under the (...)
The TC America powered by Skip Barber field wrapped up their time at Sonoma Raceway with the second of two 25-minute sprint races under the Saturday afternoon sun, and it completed a picture-perfect weekend for the Ricca Autosport team.
Race 1
The opening race of the season took place on Friday afternoon, showcasing great battles throughout the field, and a strong surge to victory lane from last year’s champion Jeff Ricca.
After starting from pole position, Jeff Ricca powered away and immediately began focusing on building a gap to the rest of the field in his No. 78 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC. As he continued to power through each corner, the fights gradually started to unfold for the remaining positions.
Michael Garcia was calm and collected on board his No. 07 Skip Barber Racing Acura Integra Type S, holding steady in second place. PJ Groenke began to apply pressure in his new No. 76 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO, but eventually came under threat from his teammate CJ Sepulveda in the No. 77 entry.
A tight battle shaped up between the two teammates for third place, and with only one lap remaining, Sepulveda managed to find a way past into the final spot in the Top 3.
Ricca kept it smooth and steady, crossing the finish line to take home the win, just as he did this time last year. Garcia maintained composure and claimed second as the checkered flag waved, fending off Sepulveda in third.
“It was awesome,” said Ricca. “We worked very hard over the off-season. We did a lot of development work with the guys in Korea. This new package, the one-class format is going to grow and it’s going to be great throughout the year. Hats off to the guys in Korea, Germany and Hyundai USA.”
“ It was my first time competing in the TC category, and it was so much fun,” said Garcia. “I’m new to front-wheel drive, so I had a lot to learn, especially from Ricca. He did a great job as well. The race was so much fun. I used my rear mirror quite a bit with PJ, who was right behind me.”
“I’m incredibly excited, extremely grateful, but I’m not nervous anymore,” said Sepulveda. “I’m really happy. This is a dream come true. It’s my first time in SRO, first time in TC America, first time in Sonoma, so my first ever race. Getting a podium is an amazing experience, and I couldn’t do it without all the people who support me back home in Puerto Rico.”
“I want to thank Victor Gonzalez who got me to this position,” he continued. “I made a pass at the end, and I had my crew chief on the radio calling the laps left in the race. I knew it was either now or never. Throughout the whole race, I was watching PJ’s pace, and the Acura. I saw where I could pick up the pace a bit and where I was trailing behind. All I did was set up comfortably and then lined myself up to get him in the brake zone. I put my nose in, and the rest is history.”
Race 2
As the green flag waved for Saturday’s race, Jeff Ricca got a perfect getaway on board his No. 78 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC. With a clear track ahead of him, it did not take him long to speed away and build a gap to the rest of the pack.
After setting the second-quickest lap in Race 1 the day prior, CJ Sepulveda started alongside Ricca on the front row and maintained second place in his No. 77 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO. He came under threat on numerous occasions from fellow Ricca Autosport teammate PJ Groenke in the No. 77 entry, but the two kept it clean and stayed out of trouble as they navigated the winding turns of Sonoma.
A little further behind, there was another teammate battle emerging between the No. 3 and No. 4 JMF Motorsports Toyota GR Corolla TC entries of Antonio Costantino and Jonathan Neudorf, providing an entertaining back-and-forth at the halfway mark.
In the end, Jeff Ricca went on to scoop up his second win of the weekend, starting off his 2025 season in perfect fashion. Sepulveda and Groenke ran nose to tail, finishing in second and third, completing a clean sweep of the podium.
“I was kind of out on my own, but we’re walking away with a lot of good data,” said Ricca. “We can use that as we look ahead to COTA. I’m really excited to see Toyota out here, and I feel like they’re going to be a top contender throughout the season. I’m thrilled for the Ricca Autosport team, we swept the weekend and we’re on top going into the next round.”
Reflecting on his debut weekend in TC America, Sepulveda said: “There are no words to explain this feeling. Getting two podiums on my first time in the series, how do you even top this? The best thing about it is that I’m representing my home country, Puerto Rico. I’ve got my family with me, and they have supported me every day since the beginning. This has been an incredible experience. Best weekend of my life so far! Thank you to my sponsors that helped me get here.”
“ This is not my best track, but I absolutely love Sonoma Raceway,” added Groenke. “This was a really good and solid first race weekend in the Hyundai. The car’s absolutely amazing, and the brand is absolutely amazing. I had a wicked battle with CJ, and although I was stronger than him at some points, I wasn’t gonna do anything risky in the second race of the season. Right now it’s just about gathering points and waiting to get to my stronger tracks.”
The TC America powered by Skip Barber field will return for the third and fourth rounds of the season at Circuit of The Americas from April 25-27.
