Meyer Shank Racing (MSR), led by Mike Shank and Jim Meyer, is gearing up to field an official Honda IndyCar starting in 2028, marking a significant evolution for the team. After years of effort, including a debut at the Indianapolis 500 in 2017 and partial competition in 2018, MSR is now positioned to fully integrate Honda’s factory engine into their program, reflecting a culmination of their long-term collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer.
Building Competitive Momentum Since 2012
MSR first attempted to join the IndyCar grid with the introduction of the Dallara DW12 chassis in 2012. However, the competitiveness of their engine supply was limited by the technical landscape of the time, where Honda and Chevrolet dominated while Lotus’s engine struggled and eventually exited after one season. These challenges delayed MSR’s official entry until they made their Indianapolis 500 debut five years later.
Since then, the team steadily increased its presence, moving from part-time efforts to a full-time role in the IndyCar championship. Their affiliation with Chip Ganassi Racing and the upcoming 2028 program underscore the growth MSR has achieved in establishing itself within the series.
Longstanding Relationship with Honda
Mike Shank’s partnership with Honda dates back to 2015 during his work with Ligier LMP2 cars in IMSA racing. This relationship proved foundational for MSR’s plans in IndyCar. Shank explained that aligning with a manufacturer was crucial for the team’s success and sustainability in motorsports.
“I’ve been working with Honda since 2015, since the days of the Ligier LMP2 in IMSA. And I understood a long time ago that the best way forward, if I want to make a living from motorsport, is to establish a relationship with a manufacturer. In 2015, we started with Honda, and we set out to prove to them what we were capable of with MSR. It took a long time because we aren’t a well-known brand that can be relied upon like Penske, Ganassi, or others. We’re somewhat newcomers to this field compared to them. So, when Jim Meyer joined me in 2018, we both had to prove to Honda that we were a very capable team and that we had the right mentality to succeed in motorsport.”
— Mike Shank, Team Principal
Challenges and Reconciliation with Honda
The journey hasn’t been without hurdles, notably a suspension of their partnership following a 2023 Daytona 24 Hours incident where the team was found to have breached regulations. Despite this setback, MSR and Honda reunited for the 2024 season. The current No. 93 Acura operates in a capacity similar to the future IndyCar program, allowing MSR to gain critical experience racing under Honda’s official banner while managing the car’s operations.
This approach is designed to smooth the transition to the IndyCar championship’s technical framework, although the team recognizes it will demand adaptability and additional resources to meet the program’s full scope.
Facility Expansion to Support Future Demands
As MSR plans for the official IndyCar launch, facility enhancements are part of their strategy. The team recently built a new workshop, but with increased commitments ahead, more space and personnel management will be required.
“When we meet this year to work out the plan for 2026, as well as what I call the research and development year in 2027 with the testing of the new car and the new engine, and then we get to 2028, one of the things Jim and I will definitely have to look at is our facility and the possibility of expanding it. All of these programs need to be carried out in our workshop. We are happy to do that. We built a workshop three years ago, unfortunately, but we will have to expand it a bit. We have a lot of people working for MSR at the moment, so we will see who will be assigned to what and what the workload will be, and then we will allocate the tasks.”
— Mike Shank, Team Principal
Significance for IndyCar and Team Growth
Meyer Shank Racing’s official adoption of Honda’s factory engine program for 2028 is a milestone that reflects the team’s persistence and gradual ascent within motorsports. This move not only strengthens Honda’s presence in IndyCar but also signals a promising future for MSR as it competes against established teams like Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske. The expanded facilities and strategic development years ahead position the team to effectively manage testing and racing demands.
Continuing this trajectory will be critical as IndyCar anticipates technical advancements requiring close cooperation between teams and manufacturers. For Meyer Shank Racing, this next phase will test their capacity to grow their infrastructure and maintain competitive performance on the track.
