Shift Up Now Athlete Alana Carter earned a second-place finish during her SRO debut driving for Ricca Autosport in Touring Car America powered by Skip Barber Racing School. Rounds 12, 13 and 14 of the championship took place at Barber Motorsports Park on September 4-7, 2025.
Driving the No. 74 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO, Carter was returning to the 2.38-mile, 17-turn road course for the second time this year. In February, she raced in the World Racing League (WRL) with AE Victory Racing, after winning the team’s annual shootout. In July and August, the 26-year-old driver then showcased her versatility by competing in four different cars and series - Toyota GR86, Toyota Supra GT4, Dirt Track Late Model and running in the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto Grand Prix in the Emzone Radical Cup Canada.
With no testing ahead of the event, Carter hit the track for the first time on Thursday for two practice sessions. She used her time wisely to get up to speed with her new car and team.
Friday’s track schedule was packed with qualifying and two the first two 25-minute races. After qualifying, Carter noted that she was thrilled with the fourth-fastest time in her best session of the weekend so far.
This put her on the outside of row two for the start of the race one. The field ran two-by-two toward the drop of the green flag at 12:10pm CST. Carter had a strong start for her TC America debut race, keeping pace in turn one and then setting herself up on the inside for a pass in turn two. By the end of the first lap, she had advanced to second place.
For most of the competition, Carter’s teammate kept the pressure on, threatening passes for her position, but she created separation in the last part of the race and crossed the finish line in second place. Her podium finished also awarded her the top-finishing Hyundai.
“My first weekend in TC America with Ricca Autosport was nothing short of incredible," said Carter. "I had three very different races but all were fun and brought their own unique challenges, plus it was awesome to take home some hardware. Ricca Autosport was such a dream to work with and I’m so grateful to them and Hyundai for this opportunity."
Later that day, race two began at 4:50pm CST. Near the start of the 25-minute competition, Carter had contact with another car, causing her to lose a couple positions. When the checkered flag fell, she brought home a sixth-place finish.
On Saturday morning, race three began at 11:10am CST, and Carter was aiming for redemption after her finish in race two. Just like the first race, she was lined up on the outside of the second row for the two-by-two start.
She had another strong start but was unable to gain positions this time, despite running side- by-side multiple times during the first lap. In a reversal of race one, Carter was the one on the attack, focused on passing the car ahead for position.
Carter then set the second fastest lap of the race as she put the car ahead under pressure and looked to pass. Despite several attempts, she ceded to her fourth-place spot as rain began to fall with 10 minutes left in the competition.
When the light rainfall turned to a downpour, the entire field struggled on dry-weather tires. Even in the tricky conditions, Carter was able to maintain a pace similar to her experienced teammate and finished in fourth place, earning her third place in the Hyundai Trophy Cup.
In three weeks, Carter will be on track again in Utah, competing for AE Victory Racing again in the Mid/West Championship Finale of WRL at Utah Motorsports Campus on September 26-28, 2025.
