2026 will mark Allmendinger’s 16th Rolex 24 At Daytona with Acura MSR

Pataskala, Ohio (November 4, 2025) – Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian (“Acura MSR”) has confirmed its endurance driver lineup for the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with a combination of returning talent and a familiar face making a long-awaited comeback for the iconic Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Acura MSR will once again field two full-season Acura ARX-06 GTP entries in 2026. The No. 60 Acura, driven full-time by Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun, will see the return of Scott Dixon for the endurance rounds at Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans. Dixon’s resume includes six NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships and 57 career INDYCAR wins, as well as four victories at the Rolex 24. He was a part of Acura MSR’s runner-up finish at Daytona in 2025, alongside Blomqvist, Braun and MSR’s INDYCAR driver Felix Rosenqvist.

Also added to the No. 60 Daytona roster for 2026 is AJ Allmendinger, who will make his 16th Rolex 24 start with Acura Meyer Shank Racing. The outing marks his first appearance with the team in five years, having last driven with the Mike Shank-led team at Daytona in 2021, on board the previous generation Acura DPi – the Acura ARX-05.

Allmendinger was a part of Acura MSR’s (then, Michael Shank Racing) 2012 breakthrough and overall Rolex 24 victory in the top Prototype category alongside teammates Ozz Negri, Justin Wilson and John Pew. Allmendinger has stood on the Daytona podium twice with MSR – in 2013 (3rd) and 2018 (2nd). He currently competes in the NASCAR Cup Series, notching three wins on road courses. Allmendinger made his Cup debut in 2007, and also has 18 victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

“Mike Shank is one of the most important people in my life,” said Allmendinger. “He’s one of my best friends and a brother to me. I’ve missed driving for him at the Rolex 24 and feel so fortunate to get another opportunity. The race has always been one of my favorites and I can’t wait to get there!”

“I can’t say enough about how happy it makes me to bring AJ back to the team for his 16th Rolex 24 with MSR,” said Mike Shank, co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing. “He is the definition of a professional race car driver and can do it all behind the wheel. Not only is he a great racer, he’s also like a brother to me, and to have his energy back on the team is really exciting. It’s a huge challenge for anyone to come in and learn to drive GTP cars, but I can’t wait to get him going!”

The sister No. 93 Acura ARX-06 features returning full-season drivers Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, who will be joined by Alex Palou for Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans. The reigning and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Palou continues to impress with Acura MSR following strong performances in two of the 2025 endurance rounds, highlighted by a runner-up finish at Sebring.

Japanese driver Kakunoshin Ohta will return for Daytona and the Six Hours of Watkins Glen. Ohta, who races full-time in Japan’s Super GT and Super Formula championships, made his IMSA debut with MSR in 2025, helping the team to a competitive showing at Daytona and podium-contending pace at Watkins Glen.

“I am super excited about Scott (Dixon), Alex (Palou) and Kaku (Ohta) returning to their endurance roles in 2026,” said Shank. “They’re all mega pros and now have a year of experience together alongside our amazing full-time drivers. This will go a long way in delivering Acura big results.”

Acura MSR enjoyed a standout 2025 season, capturing multiple victories and podiums in a return to the GTP program. Blomqvist and Braun notched a runner-up finish at Daytona and a victory at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, while van der Zande and Yelloly took an impressive win on the streets of Detroit, along with podiums at Sebring and Road America. The team’s consistent front-running form helped Acura secure second place in the 2025 IMSA manufacturer championship.

The 2026 season will again include the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) — a five-race championship that rewards consistency and performance across IMSA’s premier long-distance events: the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, the newly-added six hour race at Road America and the 10-hour Petit Le Mans.

Preparations for 2026 kick off later this month at the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway (November 14–15), where Allmendinger and Palou will take part alongside the team’s full-time driver lineup.

Media Contacts:

Maddie Komar
maddie@sundaymanagement.com

Liza Markle
liza@meyershankracing.com