Meyer Shank Racing

Last updated

Meyer Shank Racing
Meyer Shank Racing logo.png
Owner(s) Michael Shank
Jim Meyer
Liberty Media
Helio Castroneves
Principal(s)Michael Shank
Base Pataskala, Ohio
Series IndyCar Series
IMSA SportsCar Championship
Race driversIndyCar Series:
06. Flag of Brazil.svg Helio Castroneves
60. Flag of Sweden.svg Felix Rosenqvist
66. Flag of New Zealand.svg Marcus Armstrong
IMSA SportsCar Championship:
60. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist
60. Flag of the United States.svg Colin Braun
93. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Yelloly
93. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Renger van der Zande
Sponsors AutoNation, SiriusXM, Clopay Garage Doors, Arctic Wolf Networks, Cleveland-Cliffs
ManufacturerIndyCar Series: Honda
IMSA SportsCar Championship: Acura
Career
Drivers' Championships IMSA SportsCar Championship: 2019, 2020, 2022
Indy 500 victories 1 (2021)

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR; formerly Michael Shank Racing) is an American motorsport organization that competes in the IndyCar Series and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Contents

History

Atlantic Championship

Michael Shank, co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing (MSR), was originally a car owner for Sam Hornish Jr. He started racing in 1989, winning SCCA Ohio Valley Region's Novice Driver of the Year. He later on debuted his racing career in the mid-1990s, winning the 1996 Player's/Toyota Atlantic C2 championship. Shank raced in his one and only Indy Racing League in 1997 with Nienhouse Motorsports. By 1999 Shank had won the Formula Atlantic series Rookie of the Year title. Shank has since been twice named Formula Atlantic Team Owner of the Year.

Grand-Am

Michael Shank joined the Grand-Am Rolex Series in 2004, the second year of the Daytona Prototype class. He entered a Lexus-powered Doran JE4 in 12 races with primary drivers Ozz Negri and Burt Frisselle, finishing second at Watkins Glen's short course and third at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team owner took a giant step in 2005. Orlando transportation magnate Paul Mears Jr. partnered with Shank to run his Pontiac Riley. Impressed with the new car, Shank purchased a Riley of his own, with Negri capturing the pole for the car's first race at Laguna Seca to immediately demonstrate its potential. Negri and Mark Patterson completed the season, with a best finish of third at Watkins Glen, while Mears and Mike Borkowski earned podiums at California Speedway and Barber Motorsports Park.

MSR posted its first victory in 2006, with Negri and Patterson winning the finale at Salt Lake City. John Pew joined the team midway through the 2007 campaign, and became the regular driver in the No. 6 Lexus Riley with Ian James, with Patterson and Negri in the No. 60.

The Meyer Shank Racing Riley-Ford Daytona Prototype seen at Watkins Glen International in 2011 -60 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley Daytona Prototype (6060784009).jpg
The Meyer Shank Racing Riley-Ford Daytona Prototype seen at Watkins Glen International in 2011

Shank was the first team owner to step up to the second generation DP in 2008, upgrading both of his cars to Ford-powered Rileys—with Negri validating his move by winning the pole for that year's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Negri and Patterson won the inaugural race at New Jersey Motorsports Park in the No. 60, while Pew, Ian James and Rafa Matos won the finale at Utah's Miller Motorsports Park.

After showing continued improvement throughout the upcoming campaigns, MSR was recognized as a premier team in 2012. With Grand-Am upgrading to the third-generation DP, Shank purchased a pair of Ford-powered Rileys. The team made its first race a major achievement, taking the overall victory in the heralded 50th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Justin Wilson and AJ Allmendinger joined Pew and Negri. Shank recorded another milestone in 2013, when Colin Braun drove his DP to a pair of FIA-sanctioned world records in the 10 kilometers and 10 miles at Daytona International Speedway. Braun also shattered the track record with a lap of 222.971 mph, breaking Bill Elliott's 26-year-old mark of 210.364 mph.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

In 2014 Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series merged to form the United SportsCar Championship. Meyer Shank Racing ran a single Riley Ford Ecoboost DP with drivers John Pew and Oswaldo Negri in the new series. In 2015 and 2016 the team replaced the current car with a Ligier JS P2-HPD keeping Pew and Negri behind the wheel. In 2016 the team claimed wins at Laguna Seca and Petit Le Mans with Ozz Negri and John Pew behind the wheel at both tracks. Operating for the past two seasons as a customer team fielding a Honda-powered Ligier chassis in IMSA's prototype division, Michael Shank Racing has been a consistent front-runner in the headline category of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Columbus, Ohio-based operation will run a pair of Acura NSX GT3s in the GTD class of the endurance racing series.

The Meyer Shank Racing Ligier JS P2-Honda Le Mans Prototype seen at the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona Michael Shank Ligier.JPG
The Meyer Shank Racing Ligier JS P2-Honda Le Mans Prototype seen at the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona

The team switched to the GT Daytona (GTD) class in 2017 and entered two factory-backed Acura NSX GT3s with drivers Oswaldo Negri Jr, Jeff Segal, Andy Lally and Katherine Legge. That season the team saw two wins, Belle Isle and Watkins Glen. The following season, 2018, Meyer Shank Racing saw another win at Belle Isle and a win at Laguna Seca which left the team finishing second overall in the United SportsCar Championship. The team also introduced new drivers Mario Farnbacher, Trent Hindman, and Justin Marks.

The 2019 season brought one win at Watkins Glen and four second place finishes throughout the year. Farnbacher, Hindman, and Marks won the GT Daytona (GTD) group title in 2019. The 2020 season brought more new drivers Matt McMurry and Shinya Michimi. As well as the team's first win at Road Atlanta and the second win at Laguna Seca. Hélio Castroneves was introduced to the Meyer Shank Racing team at the end of the 2021 season, racing in the Petit Le Mans. The following year, 2022, was a big season for Meyer Shank Racing as the team saw their first victory at the Rolex 24 in Daytona with drivers Oliver Jarvis, Tom Blomqvist, Hélio Castroneves, and Simon Pagenaud. The 2022 season also brought home a huge win with the team taking first place for the WeatherTech Championship.

The Rolex 2023 24 Hours of Daytona saw the MSR team bring home their second victory at Daytona, with their LMDh GTP hypercar racing prototype, under drivers Helio Castroneves, Colin Braun, Simon Pagenaud, Tom Blomqvist. However, after the race, the team and drivers were penalized all the points and prize money, due to infringement on the rules concerning tire pressure. The tire pressure data had been manipulated, leading to a $50,000 team fine, and the expulsion of the race engineer Ryan McCarthy the season and team, and probation for the team. The team and drivers kept the win, but without any Michelin Endurance points and reduced championship points. [1] [2]

After the 2023 IMSA Sports Car Championship season, MSR would not return for 2024. In 2025, MSR is returning to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the GTP category, with both the 60 and the 93 GTP cars making an appearance for the season opener 2025 24 Hours of Daytona. The 60 will be piloted by Tom Blomqvist, and Colin Braun. The 93 will be piloted by Renger van der Zande, and Nick Yelloly. The team will be fielding two Acura lmdh powertrains.

IndyCar

The team purchased a 2012 Dallara IndyCar, with the goal of adding a full-time IndyCar program in 2012 while continuing its Grand-Am programs. The original intention for the IndyCar program was to run under the name "MSR Indy", with A. J. Allmendinger and Brian Bailey as co-owners. The program was intended to use the Lotus engines (later revealed to be uncompetitive) and field Jay Howard for the 2012 Indianapolis 500; however, despite having full sponsorship from Jim Beam, the failure to secure a competitive engine lease kept it from doing so.

MSR announced that it had sold its Dallara chassis to Sam Schmidt Motorsports in February 2013 and declared its intention to collaborate with another team on a 2013 Indianapolis 500 entry. No such program was finalized in time for the race. For the 2017 Indianapolis 500, the team partnered with Andretti Autosport for an entry driven by Jack Harvey.

The No. 06 Meyer Shank Racing Dallara DW12-Honda of Helio Castroneves at the 2021 Indianapolis 500 Helio castroneves (51222190794).jpg
The No. 06 Meyer Shank Racing Dallara DW12-Honda of Hélio Castroneves at the 2021 Indianapolis 500

In the 2018 IndyCar Series, in a partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, the team entered Jack Harvey in 6 events, including the 2018 Indianapolis 500, and in 2019 in 10 races, obtaining the first podium, the 3rd place in the IndyCar Grand Prix.

On October 2, 2020, it was announced that Liberty Media's Formula One Group was making a minority equity investment in the team.

Meyer Shank Racing garage at the 2024 Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s 2024 Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s 018 (Meyer Shank Racing garage).jpg
Meyer Shank Racing garage at the 2024 Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s

On May 30, 2021, Hélio Castroneves won the 2021 Indy 500 with the team. This marked Castroneves' 4th Indy 500 victory (tied for most all time), and the team's first career victory in the IndyCar Series. Hélio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud competed for Meyer Shank in 2022 and will continue racing with the team for the 2023 season.

Racing results

IndyCar Series

(key)

YearChassisEngineDriversNo.123456789101112131415161718Pos.Pts.
Michael Shank Racing with Andretti Autosport
2017 STP LBH ALA PHX IMS INDY DET TXS ROA IOW TOR MDO POC GAT WGL SNM
Dallara DW12 Honda HI17TT V6 t Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Harvey  R 503128th57
Meyer Shank Racing with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
2018 STP PHX LBH ALA IMS INDY DET TXS ROA IOW TOR MDO POC GAT POR SNM
Dallara DW12 Honda HI18TT V6 t Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Harvey  R 6023121620161724th103
Meyer Shank Racing with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
2019 STP COA ALA LBH IMS INDY DET TXS ROA TOR IOW MDO POC GAT POR LAG
Dallara DW12 Honda HI19TT V6 t Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Harvey 60101013223211510191921st186
Meyer Shank Racing
2020 TXS IMS ROA IOW INDY GAT MDO IMS STP
Dallara DW12 Honda HI20TT V6 t Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Harvey 60161723177791113712861915th288
2021 ALA STP TXS IMS INDY DET ROA MDO NSH IMS GAT POR LAG LBH
Dallara DW12 Honda HI21TT V6 t Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves 0618L92123242022nd158
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Harvey 6011471723181619171915610415713th308
2022 STP TXS LBH ALA IMS INDY DET ROA MDO TOR IOW IMS NSH GAT POR LAG
Dallara DW12 Honda HI22TT V6 t Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves 061423L92114725228171621191315171918th263
Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud 60158191128912107232325920231715th314
2023 STP TXS LBH ALA IMS INDY DET ROA MDO TOR IOW NSH IMS GAT POR LAG
Dallara DW12 Honda HI23TT V6 t Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves 06231021212215191521211416111523141318th217
Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud 602617151825251314Wth28th88
Flag of the United States.svg Conor Daly 20211725th134
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist  R 25242634th16
Flag of Sweden.svg Linus Lundqvist  R 25121831st35
2024 STP THE 1 LBH ALA IMS INDY DET ROA LAG MDO IOW TOR GAT POR MIL NSH
Dallara DW12 Honda HI24TT V6 t Flag of Sweden.svg Felix Rosenqvist 6053941027814111413262361413112712th306
Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves 062035th26
662519
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist  R 15DNQ2219233130th46
Flag of the United States.svg David Malukas 16122613621201522924th148

* Season still in progress

  1. ^ Non-points-paying, exhibition race.

IMSA SportsCar Championship

Prototype

YearChassisEngineFull-time driversNo.1234567891011Pos.Pts.
Michael Shank Racing
2014   DAY SEB LBH LAG DET WGI MOS IMSROACOTA ATL  
Ford EcoBoost Riley DP Ford EcoBoost 3.5L V6 Turbo Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr.
Flag of the United States.svg John Pew
6012991047562566th281
Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian
2015   DAY SEB LBH LAGDETWGI MOS ROACOTA ATL  
Ligier JS P2 Honda HR28TT 2.8L V6 Turbo Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr.
Flag of the United States.svg John Pew
60513632734496th273
2016   DAY SEB LBH LAG DET WGI MOS ROA COTA ATL  
Ligier JS P2 Honda HR35TT 3.5L V6 Turbo Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr.
Flag of the United States.svg John Pew (9 races)
60117715364614th282
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian
2021   DAY SEB MDO DET WGI WGI ROA LAG LBH ATL  
Acura ARX-05 Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6 Flag of the United States.svg Dane Cameron 6043662654665th2946
2022   DAY SEB LBH LAG MOH DET WGI MOS ROA ATL  
Acura ARX-05 Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Jarvis
6015422222411st3432
2023   DAY SEB LBH LAG WGI MOS ROA IMS ATL  
Acura ARX-06 Acura AR24e 2.4 L Turbo V6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist
Flag of the United States.svg Colin Braun
Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves
Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud
601666312613rd2711

GT Daytona

YearChassisEngineDriversNo.123456789101112Pos.Pts.
Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian
2017   DAY SEB LBH COTA DET WGI MOS LIM ROA VIR LGA ATL  
Acura NSX GT3 Acura 3.5L V6 Turbo Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr.
Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Segal
865810115161091414101213th248
Flag of the United States.svg Andy Lally
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge
931114715112515152146th286
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian
2018   DAY SEB MOH DET WGI MOS LIM ROA VIR LGA ATL  
Acura NSX GT3 Acura 3.5L Turbo V6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge
Flag of Portugal.svg Álvaro Parente (9 races)
86282125473122nd329
Flag of the United States.svg Lawson Aschenbach
Flag of the United States.svg Justin Marks
931175214698913129th249
2019   DAY SEB MOH DET WGI MOS LIM ROA VIR LGA ATL  
Acura NSX GT3 Acura 3.5L Turbo V6 Heinricher Racing with Meyer Shank Racing
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge 5712810946121312679th221
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian
Flag of Germany.svg Mario Farnbacher
Flag of the United States.svg Trent Hindman
8647211122528121st283
2020   DAY1 DAY2 SEB1 ROA VIR ATL1 MOH CLT ATL2 LGA SEB2  
Acura NSX GT3 Acura 3.5L Turbo V6 Heinricher Racing with MSR Curb/Agajanian
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mikhail Goikhberg (11 races)
Flag of Portugal.svg Álvaro Parente (10 races)
57841267656367th250
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian
Flag of Germany.svg Mario Farnbacher (11 races)
Flag of the United States.svg Matt McMurry (11 races)
861032215710131st288

24 Hours of Le Mans

Michael Shank Racing at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. Michael Shank Racing - Ligier JS P2-Honda -49 (27802320135).jpg
Michael Shank Racing at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.
YearEntrantNo.CarDriversClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2016 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Shank Racing49 Ligier JS P2-Honda Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr.
Flag of the United States.svg John Pew
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Laurens Vanthoor
LMP234514th9th

IndyCar wins

#SeasonDateSanctionTrack / RaceNo.Winning DriverChassisEngineTireGridLaps Led
1 2021 May 30IndyCar Indianapolis Motor Speedway (O)06 Flag of Brazil.svg Hélio Castroneves Dallara DW12 Honda HI21TT V6t Firestone820

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship wins

Overall

#SeasonDateClassesTrack / RaceNo.Winning DriversChassisEngine
1 2016 May 1Prototype Laguna Seca 60 Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr. / Flag of the United States.svg John Pew Ligier JS P2 Honda HR35TT 3.5 L V6 Turbo
2October 1Prototype Road Atlanta 60 Flag of Brazil.svg Oswaldo Negri Jr. / Flag of the United States.svg John Pew / Flag of France.svg Olivier Pla Ligier JS P2 Honda HR35TT 3.5 L V6 Turbo
3 2022 January 30 DPi Daytona 60 Flag of Brazil.svg Helio Castroneves / Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Jarvis Acura ARX-05c DPi Acura AR35TT 3.5L V6 Twin-Turbo
4October 1 DPi Road Atlanta 60 Flag of Brazil.svg Helio Castroneves / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Jarvis Acura ARX-05c DPi Acura AR35TT 3.5L V6 Twin-Turbo
5 2023 January 29 GTP Daytona 60 Flag of Brazil.svg Helio Castroneves / Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist / Flag of the United States.svg Colin Braun Acura ARX-06 LMDh Acura AR24e 2.4L V6 Twin-Turbo

Class

#SeasonDateClassesTrack / RaceNo.Winning DriversChassisEngine
1 2017 June 3GTD Belle Isle 93 Flag of the United States.svg Andy Lally / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge Acura NSX GT3 Acura 3.5L Turbo V6
2July 3GTD Watkins Glen 93 Flag of the United States.svg Andy Lally / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge Acura NSX GT3 Acura 3.5L Turbo V6
3 2018 June 2GTD Belle Isle 86 Flag of Germany.svg Mario Farnbacher / Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge Acura NSX GT3 Evo Acura 3.5L Turbo V6
4September 9GTD Laguna Seca 86 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge / Flag of Portugal.svg Álvaro Parente Acura NSX GT3 Evo Acura 3.5L Turbo V6
5 2019 June 30GTD Watkins Glen 86 Flag of Germany.svg Mario Farnbacher / Flag of the United States.svg Trent Hindman / Flag of the United States.svg Justin Marks Acura NSX GT3 Evo Acura 3.5L Turbo V6
6 2020 September 5GTD Road Atlanta 86 Flag of Germany.svg Mario Farnbacher / Flag of the United States.svg Matt McMurry / Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Michimi Acura NSX GT3 Evo Acura 3.5L Turbo V6
7November 1GTD Laguna Seca 86 Flag of Germany.svg Mario Farnbacher / Flag of the United States.svg Matt McMurry Acura NSX GT3 Evo Acura 3.5L Turbo V6

References

  1. Travis Okulski (March 8, 2023). "Meyer Shank Racing's Daytona 24-Winning Acura Was Manipulating Tire Pressure Data". Road and Track.
  2. Dylan Spaulding (April 27, 2023). "How Does Meyer Shank Racing shake its bad mojo?". Sports Illustrated.