Japanese Driver Set to Compete in Three Michelin Endurance Cup Races in 2025
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Acura Meyer Shank Racing completed its lineup for the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona by today naming Honda factory driver Kakunoshin Ohta to fill out the roster in the team’s No. 93 Acura ARX-06.
Ohta, a graduate of the Honda Formula Dream Project, will join full-season drivers Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, as well as reigning IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou for the 63rd running of the iconic endurance race on Jan. 25-26 that kicks off the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Ohta will also team with van der Zande and Yelloly in the No. 93 Acura for two of the other IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races in the coming year: the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Ohta tested with Acura MSR in the Acura ARX-06 Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) machine last month at Daytona International Speedway, impressing in his first outing in an LMDh car. In between his commitments to Japan’s Super GT and Super Formula Championships, he prepared for the test by making two visits to Indianapolis to use Honda Racing Corporation’s simulator.
Ohta started racing in the F4 Japanese Championship in 2018, where he spent three full-time seasons. The last three years, he has been doing triple duty in Japan by competing in Super Formula, Super GT and Super Taikyu, where he’s accumulated 11 wins and 13 poles.
The driver lineup for Acura MSR’s other GTP entry, the No. 60 Acura ARX-06, was previously announced. Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun are in for the full season, joined at Daytona by IndyCar drivers Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist.
Mike Shank (co-owner, Acura Meyer Shank Racing): “We’re really excited to have Ohta with us for three races this year. He did a really nice job at the test last month at Daytona and he fit in with the team very well. Now that we have both cars locked in, we’ll put our heads down and get to work at the Roar (Before the Rolex 24) next month.”
Kakunoshin Ohta: “I am very happy that my challenge to race in IMSA has been officially decided. I will make sure that I live up to everyone’s expectations and continue to grow, not only in terms of results, but also for further advancement. I am looking forward to teaming up with the world’s top drivers and competing in the top category. I look forward to your support.”
Takuma Sato, HRC Executive Advisor: “We are delighted that HRS graduate Ohta is taking on the challenge of IMSA, as North American races such as IMSA and IndyCar are truly a global challenge, attracting top-class competitors from all over the world. Ohta’s success in Super Formula and Super GT proves that he has the ability to compete on a global level. We sincerely hope that he will take advantage of this opportunity to make further progress. We also hope that his challenge will give hope to many young drivers and help pave the way for them to reach the world stage, and we would like to contribute to the creating such an environment.”