MSR Commits to Detroit, Sprint Cup With Both Acura NSX GT3s

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Meyer Shank Racing has committed to next weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle with both of its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-long Acura NSX GT3 Evos.

The 100-minute race, which serves as a WeatherTech Sprint Cup-only round, was initially not on the Ohio-based squad’s schedule, although a string of recent results, along with team’s previous history at the 2.35-mile street course, has resulted in a change of plans.

MSR gave the Acura NSX GT3 its first victory in global competition at Detroit in 2017, while Katherine Legge claimed back-to-back class wins last year, driving alongside Mario Farnbacher.

Legge will again team up with Christina Nielsen in the No. 57 CAT-sponsored Acura, with Farnbacher and Trent Hindman in the No. 86 car, which is coming off a runner-up finish at Mid-Ohio.

“It’s great that we are able to head back to Detroit,” said team co-owner Mike Shank.

“Historically its been a good track for us and with wins the last two years, it was a no-brainer to come back and try to get our third.

“Mario is very fast in Detroit and he showed that with our win last year. Trent is a quick learner and with Mario helping him out, I think he will get up to speedy very quickly.”

While Farnbacher and Hindman’s result in Mid-Ohio has put them into the GTD points lead in the WeatherTech Championship, the duo trail Jack Hawksworth and Richard Heistand by three points in the Sprint Cup, which kicked off earlier this month.

“I’m very excited to be heading back to Detroit, I love street circuits and I have been very successful in Detroit,” said Farnbacher who has two wins and a podium at the track in IMSA competition.

“The only new thing is that Trent has never raced there so we have to teach him the track. I think he will figure it out pretty quickly. And we know that the Acuras work pretty well there so hopefully we can have another good race and continue our momentum.”

Legge, meanwhile, will be seeking her third consecutive win on the streets of Detroit.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to defend our sweep there,” she said. “I hope the weather is better than it was in Mid-Ohio. Hopefully the only water we encounter is a dip in the fountain after the race.

“Christina has an equally stout resume at Detroit, claiming three podiums in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions of the event, so I have high hopes for the weekend.”

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