Honda Civic Type R TCR Secures Podium Finish at Virginia Grand Prix

Honda teams navigated a challenging race weekend at VIRginia International Raceway, culminating in a podium finish for the #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR at the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix. Despite starting from the back of the grid due to a qualifying incident, the team secured third place in the eighth round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. This result marks Honda's seventh podium of the current season.

Overcoming Early Setbacks

The weekend began with promising qualifying performances for Honda, as the #93 MMG Honda and the #5 KMW Motorsports entry provisionally qualified second and third, respectively. However, an incident involving the TMR team during qualifying led to the invalidation of their two fastest laps, relegating the #5 Civic Type R TCR to the rear of the starting grid.

The #93 MMG Honda also encountered an early race hurdle when driver LP Montour received a drive-through penalty for an incident with a slower GS-class competitor, forcing the team into a recovery strategy for the remainder of the two-hour event. These initial challenges set the stage for a demanding race for both Honda teams.

The Fight Back to the Podium

From the back of the field, the #5 KMW Motorsports Honda, driven by Rocco Pasquarella and Tim Lewis, mounted a significant charge. Pasquarella steadily advanced through the pack during his stint, focusing on tire management and fuel saving. He handed the car over to Lewis, who continued the impressive climb, reaching fourth position before executing a crucial pass for third place with just 15 minutes remaining. A late-race caution then neutralized the field, solidifying their podium position.

The #93 MMG Honda, piloted by Karl Wittmer and LP Montour, also demonstrated resilience. After serving their early penalty, the team worked their way back through the field, eventually gaining a position in the closing laps to finish fourth, just shy of the podium. Meanwhile, the #72 Pegram Racing Honda, with drivers Riley and Larry Pegram, competed strongly but was caught in a final restart scramble, ultimately finishing seventh.

Consistent Performance in IMSA Challenge

The third-place finish for KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering represents Honda's seventh podium result in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season. This consistent performance highlights the competitive capabilities of the Honda Civic Type R TCR in the series.

The ability of both KMW and MMG to recover from significant early setbacks underscores the strategic execution and driver skill within the Honda racing program. The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season will continue with its ninth round, the two-hour Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120, scheduled for September 19, 2026, where Honda teams will aim to build on their recent success.

These results from the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix demonstrate Honda's continued competitive presence in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. The strong recovery drives by KMW Motorsports and MMG Honda, despite early race challenges, reflect the teams' determination and strategic execution throughout the demanding two-hour event.