Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Look To Extend Victory Streak in Canada

Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Look To Extend Victory Streak in Canada
• Acura NSX GT3s take on Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
• MSR team seeks to build on consecutive victories at Detroit and Watkins Glen
• Acura, Lally and Legge move into championship contention

TORRANCE, Calif. (July 5, 2017) – Following back-to-back victories at the Detroit Grand Prix and Watkins Glen, Michael Shank Racing brings its pair of Acura NSX GT3s to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park outside of Toronto, Canada, looking to extend the winning streak and continue its attack on the 2017 championship.

At the midpoint in the 12-round 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Acura now lies third in the GTD Manufacturers’ Championship, just 15 points out of first place and 10 points out of second, on the strength of consecutive victories for Andy Lally and Katherine Legge, driving the #93 MSR Acura NSX GT3.

The pair scored the first of those wins, and the first for the Acura NSX GT3 in international sports car competition, last month in Detroit. The rough street course is one of the tightest on the schedule, and one of the shortest races in the championship, at just 100 minutes in length.

Lally and Legge followed up by taking command last weekend on the Watkins Glen road course, the fastest circuit in the championship and – at six hours in length – one of the longest races in the series. After starting from the pole, the duo combined to lead a race-high 101 laps and move to third in the GTD Drivers’ Championship standings, 26 points out of first place, in the title fight.

“To win consecutive races – at two such disparate events and in a category as competitive at GTD – is an incredible accomplishment for a program in its inaugural season,” said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development. “Throughout this program, we’ve set high goals for Michael Shank Racing and HPD. They have met and exceeded those expectations. Now, we want to continue to run at the front, and challenge for the GTD championship.”

The second MSR Acura, the #86 NSX GT3 driven by Oswaldo “Ozz” Negri and Jeff Segal, also featured at Watkins Glen. Starting fourth, the pair worked its way into the lead by mid-race, making it an Acura 1-2 at the time. Negri and Segal combined to lead 46 laps until a suspension failure ended their race with just over 30 minutes remaining.

Competing in GTD, the Acura NSX GT3s race against premium automotive brands including Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The Acura NSX GT3 adds to a rich legacy of Acura sports car racing championships, including the 1991, 1992 and 1993 IMSA Camel Lights manufacturer and driver championships, and the 2009 American Le Mans Series manufacturer, driver and team championships in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes.

The Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park starts at 12 p.m. EDT Sunday, July 9, with live television coverage on Fox Sports 1. Live coverage also can be found the Fox Sports Go app and at www.imsa.com.