Staff proprietor Dale Coyne has thrown his title within the ring with aspirations of being a part of Honda’s manufacturing unit program.
As a part of the brand new settlement with IndyCar, Chevrolet and Honda every obtain a constitution starting in 2028, which aligns with the anticipated debut of the brand new automobile and engine. The producers have the choice to run a solo manufacturing unit effort or companion with any workforce that doesn’t possess three charters.
Honda Racing Company US President David Salters beforehand confirmed the producer was already “in discussions” with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR). Honda, below the Acura title, already helps a manufacturing unit effort with MSR within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Of the groups which can be powered by the Japanese producer, Andretti World, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing are all at max capability with three charters apiece, leaving MSR and Dale Coyne Racing – which every have two charters – as the one viable choices.
“We would prefer to be within the sport for that,” Coyne instructed Motorsport.com. “, if they’ll broaden a two-car workforce to a three-car workforce, we would prefer to be within the sport for that. I do know they have a relationship with Meyer Shank Racing in sports activities automobiles, in order that’s fairly stable.
“We would love to have the ability to do one thing with them sooner or later.”
A possibility so as to add Honda’s manufacturing unit program to his present workforce would additional sources for Coyne’s group, having bolstered its 2026 endeavors with a technical alliance with Andretti World. Of observe, MSR additionally has a technical alliance courtesy of Chip Ganassi Racing.
Dale Coyne Racing additionally kicked it up a notch with its engineering presence, with veteran race engineer Michael Cannon – who returned to the workforce final 12 months – again on the highest of the timing stand to supervise rookie Dennis Hauger’s automobile. The workforce additionally added Invoice Pappas, who lately left IndyCar as its Vice President of Competitors and Race Engineering, to Romain Grosjean’s No. 18 Honda.
At this level, is there something left Coyne appears like his workforce wants to indicate Honda as a way to acquire their curiosity?
“I simply assume preserve what we’re doing, what we’re doing, and see what this 12 months brings,” Coyne stated. “Numerous promise for this 12 months. They’re proud of what we’re doing this 12 months, realizing that we’re extra severe about this than ever.
“So, I feel all that’s good timing.”
When reached for a response to Coyne’s feedback, Chuck Schifsky, Supervisor, Acura & Honda Motorsports for American Honda, confirmed to Motorsport.com the producer’s dedication to companion with MSR for its IndyCar manufacturing unit program.
“There are a number of choices for Honda to make use of its IndyCar constitution starting in 2028,” Schifsky stated. “A kind of is to function the Honda constitution entry at the side of one among our two-car groups, both Dale Coyne Racing or Meyer Shank Racing.
“Whereas we now have quite a lot of respect for Dale and what he is achieved in IndyCar racing, and he appears poised to have one among his finest years in a very long time as we enter 2026, we now have chosen to work with MSR for the Honda constitution entry.
“Whereas we’re nonetheless a great distance away from the beginning of the 2028 season and the working of the brand new automobile and engine package deal, we sit up for constructing on our profitable IMSA partnership with MSR the place we now have an analogous operation already is place with HRC US engineers and strategists calling the pictures on the No. 93 Acura GTP entry.”
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– The Motorsport.com Staff
