Daytona Beach, Fla. (22 January 2025) — Acura Meyer Shank Racing (“Acura MSR”) is back and ready to kick off the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Acura MSR is set to field a pair of Acura ARX-06’s for the annual twice around the clock event set for a green flag start on Saturday (1:30pm ET, NBC, Peacock).
As the marquee event for sports car racing in America, the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona tests both driver and machine. And at the “Roar Before the 24” this past weekend, Acura Michael Shank Racing hit the track with its two-car GTP lineup, logging laps in six of the practice sessions.
“We are super happy coming out of the Roar,” said team co-owner Michael Shank. “The team continues to gel and perfect processes. All eight drivers cycled through our test plan and are very comfortable at this point.”
“Our biggest challenge has actually been getting procedures perfected,” continued Shank. “We believe that’s what will win this race, as we know the car and drivers are great. We’ll continue to work on those as we roll into qualifying. But I’m exceptionally proud of all the folks to come together in eight weeks and to be as prepared as we are! It’s very, very difficult to win this race, but we have done everything possible to be ready.”
In partnership with Honda Racing Corporation US, the drivers of the No. 93 Acura MSR w/ Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06 include full-time drivers Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, alongside Honda factory driver Kakunoshin Ohta and three-time INDYCAR Champion, Alex Palou who both join for the Daytona endurance event.
“We’re getting ready for the big one and it’s our biggest race of the year,” said van der Zande. “We have a lot of new team members plus new drivers, so we’re just really trying to find the right balance of how we work together and make it smooth. But the car runs really nice! Unfortunately, the weather is going to be pretty terrible this week, so there won’t be a lot of track time in the dry before the actual race. It will be an interesting weekend for sure.”
The No. 60 Acura MSR w/ Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06 boasts MSR IMSA veterans Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun. The pair will be joined by MSR INDYCAR driver, Felix Rosenqvist and six-time INDYCAR Champion, Scott Dixon.
“Being back at Daytona, and with MSR in IMSA, feels like a homecoming for me,” said Blomqvist. “I love this event and the car is solid. We’re feeling ready and the Roar was good. We got through a load of procedures, as there are a number of new people on the team and everyone’s role is important in endurance racing. Acura and HRC have done a fantastic job as usual, and we expect to be fighting for victory on Sunday.”
The 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona will have flag to flag coverage this weekend on Peacock. In addition, broadcast coverage of the race will begin Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBC and move to USA Network from 2:30-6:30 p.m. The conclusion of the race is back on NBC from noon to 2 p.m.