Acura Concludes IMSA GTP Program After Decade of Racing

Acura has officially concluded its participation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GTP program, bringing an end to a decade of involvement in sports car racing. The final event for the program was the 2026 Petit Le Mans, where Acura secured sixth and tenth place finishes. Despite a challenging final race, the #93 team achieved second place in the IMSA team championship, and Acura finished third in the manufacturer title fight.

A Decade of Dominance in IMSA

Acura's tenure in IMSA began in 2017 with the Acura NSX GT3 car, campaigned by Meyer Shank Racing. This partnership quickly yielded success, with the NSX GT3 claiming the manufacturer, driver, and team titles in 2019, followed by repeat driver and team championships in 2020. The brand expanded its efforts in 2018 with the introduction of the ARX-05 DPi car, which proved to be a formidable competitor.

The ARX-05 DPi accumulated 23 pole positions and 17 victories during its run, sweeping all three championships in 2019, 2020, and 2022. In 2023, Acura transitioned into the new GTP era with the ARX-06, which immediately made an impact by winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking Acura's third consecutive victory at the endurance classic. Over its three years of competition, the ARX-06 secured a total of eight wins. Across the entire decade, the Acura IMSA program ends with an impressive record of 33 victories and 45 pole positions.

2026 Season Finale and Championship Standings

The 2026 season saw the #93 Acura ARX-06 achieve a notable win at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, marking the brand's first victory at the event since assuming title sponsorship. The final race at Petit Le Mans presented difficulties for both Acura entries. The #60 Acura ARX-06, driven by Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, and Scott Dixon, started from pole position and contended for a podium finish until a last-lap pit stop for fuel relegated it to sixth place.

Meanwhile, the #93 car, piloted by Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly, and Alex Palou, started second but encountered multiple incidents during the race, leading to its retirement with less than three hours remaining and a tenth-place finish. Despite these setbacks, the #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian team secured second in the IMSA team championship. Acura finished third in the manufacturer standings, and drivers Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande placed third in the drivers’ championship.

Legacy and Future Outlook for Acura Motorsports

Mike Shank, owner of Meyer Shank Racing, reflected on the team's tenacity throughout the program, expressing gratitude to Acura and HRC for their partnership. He acknowledged the sadness surrounding the program's conclusion but emphasized the pride in the team's collective effort and looked forward to future endeavors, including IndyCar racing. This sentiment highlights the significant impact the Acura IMSA program ends has had on those involved.

Kelvin Fu, President of HRC US, also commented on the program's achievements, particularly since the introduction of the ARX-06 in 2023. He noted the program's success in establishing Acura and HRC as key players in electrified prototype sportscar racing. Fu affirmed that the expertise, technology, and relationships developed during this chapter will be integral to Acura's future racing initiatives.

The conclusion of the Acura IMSA program ends a successful chapter in the brand's motorsports history. The experience and technological advancements gained from a decade of competitive racing are expected to inform and strengthen Acura's future presence in various racing series.