KMW Honda Civic Type R TCR Secures Watkins Glen Victory

Honda continued its strong performance in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, securing its second consecutive TCR pole position and victory during the LP Building Solutions 120 at Watkins Glen International on June 30, 2026. The #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR, driven by Rocco Pasquarella and Tim Lewis, achieved a dramatic win after starting from the back of the field. This marks Honda's second straight victory in the series.

Dramatic Victory at Watkins Glen

The #5 KMW Motorsports Honda Civic Type R TCR faced an uphill battle from the outset. After setting a competitive qualifying time, the team was relegated to the rear of the grid following an infraction during post-qualifying technical inspection. Despite this setback, drivers Tim Lewis and Rocco Pasquarella steadily advanced through the field during the two-hour endurance race.

Pasquarella climbed into the top three by the midpoint of the event and ultimately took the lead in the closing stages, securing the team's first IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge victory with Honda. Pasquarella noted that while the initial disqualification was disappointing, the "last to first" run made the win particularly memorable. Lewis expressed pride in the team's resilience, highlighting their ability to overcome adversity after starting from the back for the first time in 75 races.

Honda's Strong Showing and Challenges

While the KMW Motorsports team celebrated victory, other Honda entries also demonstrated strong potential and faced various challenges. The #89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR, piloted by Chad Gilsinger and Tyler Chambers, delivered a notable performance, finishing in fourth place. This result marked their second top-four finish of the year, following a second-place finish in Daytona. Tyler Chambers led for much of his opening stint before an early pit strategy required co-driver Chad Gilsinger to manage fuel consumption towards the end of the race.

Other Honda teams encountered misfortune. The pole-winning #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR, driven by LP Montour and Karl Wittmer, led the initial laps but was forced to retire early due to a fuel pressure issue. The #72 Pegram Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR, with Riley and Larry Pegram behind the wheel, also retired from the race after sustaining suspension damage.

Championship Implications

This recent Honda IMSA win at Watkins Glen significantly impacts Honda's standing in the TCR Manufacturers' Championship. With its second consecutive race victory, Honda has narrowed the gap to the championship leader, now sitting within 20 points. The performance also propelled the #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering entry into fourth place in both the Drivers' and Team standings, reflecting their consistent progress throughout the season.

Looking ahead, Honda will compete in the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 on July 11, 2026. This venue holds positive memories for the manufacturer, as Honda claimed a TCR victory there in 2025. The team aims to continue its winning momentum and further improve its championship position in the upcoming event.