Acura Shifts Focus to IndyCar Expansion
Honda Racing Corporation USA has confirmed it will pause its factory-backed GTP programme with Acura at the end of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, signalling a strategic pivot towards an expanded presence in the IndyCar Series.
The decision brings to a close a highly successful era of prototype racing for Acura, which began in 2018 with the ARX-05 and continued with the hybrid Acura ARX-06. Currently, Acura competes in IMSA’s premier GTP category through a factory-supported partnership with Meyer Shank Racing, fielding two entries: the #60 driven by Colin Braun and Tom Blomqvist, and the #93 piloted by Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly.
HRC US president David Salters emphasised the significance of the programme’s achievements, noting a tally of 25 race victories, 34 pole positions, and 10 championships across its lifespan. “We are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished,” he said, adding that the team remains committed to fighting for honours through the final 2026 campaign.
A strategic redirection
The shift reflects Acura’s intent to capitalise on the surging popularity of IndyCar. As part of this renewed focus, the brand will increase its visibility across selected races, including a landmark appearance at the Indianapolis 500—often dubbed “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.
At the 110th running of the event, Marcus Armstrong will carry Acura branding on his #66 Meyer Shank Racing entry, marking the marque’s first official presence on the Indianapolis grid in decades. The move also aligns with Honda’s longer-term ambition to introduce a chartered IndyCar entry in 2028 in collaboration with Meyer Shank Racing.
Acura has already tested the waters with a one-off livery at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, where Felix Rosenqvist secured pole position and finished second—an encouraging showcase for the brand’s growing involvement.
Prototype era by the numbers
| Metric | Acura Prototype Programme |
|---|---|
| Programme start | 2018 |
| Total wins | 25 |
| Pole positions | 34 |
| Championships | 10 |
| Current car | Acura ARX-06 |
| Factory pause | End of 2026 |
Riding IndyCar’s growth
Acura’s timing is far from coincidental. The IndyCar Series has enjoyed a resurgence in recent seasons, with record attendance figures and television audiences. A new broadcast partnership with Fox has further boosted visibility, delivering the most-watched Indianapolis 500 in nearly two decades.
Hundy Liu highlighted the opportunity: “The series has shown incredible growth, and it provides a powerful platform to build awareness for the Acura brand, particularly given Honda’s recent success in the championship.”
Looking ahead
While Acura’s withdrawal from IMSA’s top class marks the end of a competitive chapter, it does not signal a retreat from motorsport. Instead, it represents a recalibration—shifting resources from endurance racing to a rapidly expanding open-wheel landscape.
For fans, the final two seasons of the Acura ARX-06 will now carry added significance, as the marque aims to conclude its prototype campaign on a high before embarking on a new era under the bright lights of Indianapolis.
