Castroneves, Pagenaud Confirmed for MSR Return

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud will defend their Rolex 24 at Daytona win with Meyer Shank Racing, having been confirmed as drivers for the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener, with Castroneves set for a repeat run in the long-distance endurance races.

The duo, who are MSR’s pilots in the NTT IndyCar Series, will join full-season WeatherTech Championship driver Tom Blomnqvist and a fourth, yet-to-be-announced driver for Daytona in the team’s Acura ARX-06 LMDh car in the GTP class.

Castroneves, Pagenaud, Blomqvist and Oliver Jarvis teamed for victory in January’s around-the-clock enduro, with Blomqvist and Jarvis going on to win the DPi title in the title-deciding Motul Petit Le Mans with the Brazilian as the third driver.

“I’m super excited to come back to MSR and IMSA for the three long distance races,” said Castroneves.

“I’m especially looking forward to driving the new Acura ARX-06, I know that the team has been working super hard to learn and understand a completely new machine.

“I’m hoping for much success just like the previous Acura.”

Pagenaud added: “I am extremely delighted to be part of the roster with MSR and Acura in this new era of sports car racing.

“My career took off worldwide because of the opportunity I got with Acura to race the LMP2 car back in 2008. A lot of miles have been driven since and many trophies on the way.

“More recently winning the Rolex 24 as one of the world’s crown jewel in racing with my MSR Acura team was exceptional.

“I cannot wait for the future and I want to thank both MSR and Acura for having me join them in the opportunity to drive and help develop this new Acura LMDh.”

MSR has yet to announce Blomqvist’s full-season co-driver in the No. 60 Acura, which appears increasingly unlikely to be Jarvis.

Sportscar365 understands that an announcement is not likely imminent.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John