Cindric: Team Penske, Acura “Couldn’t Align” on Future

Photo: Scott LePage/IMSA

Team Penske and Acura “couldn’t align” on its future path in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship according to Team Penske President Tim Cindric, who said he’s “proud” of the accomplishments the two organizations have accomplished together over the last three seasons.

Acura announced on Tuesday that it will not continue with Penske in the DPi class next year, following reports of a split at the end of the 2020 season.

The legendary open-wheel and NASCAR squad joined forces with luxury automaker in 2018, launching the Acura ARX-05 which has since gone onto score four victories in WeatherTech Championship competition, as well as the 2019 DPi title with Acura driver Dane Cameron and Team Penske’s Juan Pablo Montoya.

While initially under a three-year contract, neither Acura or Penske have disclosed the reasons behind not continuing the partnership into a new term.

“We are proud of the efforts that our organizations have put forth together over the last three seasons but we simply couldn’t align on how we should go racing in the future,” Cindric said in a statement provided to Sportscar365.

Acura has yet to comment on the future of its ARX-05 program, although Sportscar365 believes multiple teams are in discussions with the manufacturer for next year.

Longtime HPD/Acura entrant Mike Shank, who had previously made attempts to campaign an Acura DPi in the WeatherTech Championship, declined to comment when asked by Sportscar365 on whether Meyer Shank Racing could be in the mix for 2021.

Penske Still Interested in Sports Car Future

Cindric, meanwhile, has reaffirmed Team Penske’s desire to continue in sports car racing, namely its target of returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The team has been linked to talks with several LMDh manufacturers on potential programs that could come online as early as the platform’s launch.

“Sports car racing has always been a big part of the heritage of Team Penske and we are certainly interested in going to Le Mans one day with the right partner under the right circumstances,” Cindric said.

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