Meyer Shank Racing Dominates IMSA Opening Practice at Indianapolis with Acura 1-2
Indianapolis, IN – September 19, 2025 – Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian announced their formidable presence at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course this weekend, seizing the top two positions in the opening practice session for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race. The team’s potent Acura ARX-06 prototypes showcased impressive pace, signaling a strong start to the penultimate event of the season.
Acura Prototypes Lead the Pack in Opening IMSA Practice
In a session marked by drama and numerous interruptions, the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) duo of Acura ARX-06 prototypes consistently found speed on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile circuit. Tom Blomqvist set the fastest overall and GTP class lap of the 90-minute session, clocking in at a blistering 1 minute, 16.209 seconds in the No. 60 machine. His performance set the benchmark for the weekend, demonstrating the car’s outright pace. Not far behind, teammate Nick Yelloly secured the second spot with a lap of 1 minute, 16.477 seconds in the No. 93 entry, ensuring an impressive MSR lockout at the top of the timing sheets. This early showing by the Acura prototypes underscores their development and competitiveness within the highly contested GTP category.
The MSR team’s dominance in this opening practice session was a significant talking point, with drivers expressing confidence in the car’s setup for the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Blomqvist, a former NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver, is sharing the No. 60 entry with fellow INDYCAR veteran Colin Braun, who noted that “The length of the race and traffic management will be key for us,” adding that the team “continues to jell” after recent testing. Yelloly echoed the sentiment, stating, “From the run we’ve been on recently, there’s no reason we can’t fight at the front again”.
Meyer Shank Racing’s Resurgent 2025 Season
This commanding performance in practice is a continuation of Meyer Shank Racing’s strong momentum throughout the 2025 IMSA season. The team has enjoyed a significant surge in the latter half of the year, securing multiple podiums and victories. Earlier in the season, the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 triumphed on the Streets of Detroit, while the No. 60 car claimed victory in the Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International, both achieved in June. These recent successes highlight the team’s development and strategic prowess in the demanding GTP class. Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande, drivers of the No. 93 car, entered the Indianapolis weekend tied for fourth in the GTP point standings, with Blomqvist and Braun in sixth. The team’s consistent performance this season also mirrors their improvement in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, where drivers Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong finished in the top 10 of their respective standings.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway: A Familiar Hunting Ground
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, though distinct from the famed oval, holds significant meaning for Meyer Shank Racing. The team has a rich history at the venue, most notably with Helio Castroneves securing his record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 win in INDYCAR competition in 2021 under the MSR banner. The IMS road course itself has also provided notable moments for the team, including their first INDYCAR podium finish in 2019. Returning to IMS for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks, a six-hour endurance race, offers MSR another prime opportunity to leverage their experience and the competitive Acura ARX-06 platform.
A Challenging Practice Session Sets the Stage
The opening practice session, while productive for MSR, was far from smooth for the rest of the field. The 90-minute period was marred by three red flags, numerous spins, and various penalties, illustrating the challenges of finding clear track on the compact Indianapolis road course with a large grid. Drivers from other teams, including Jack Aitken in the No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R who secured third in practice, along with entries from Wayne Taylor Racing, faced difficulties navigating the busy track. The presence of 12 GTP cars, coupled with other classes, ensured that traffic management would be a critical factor throughout the race weekend. The three Porsche 963s, which reportedly faced pre-event weight increases and power reductions, were among the slower entries in the GTP practice session.
Looking Ahead: From Practice to Podium
Following this dominant practice performance, Meyer Shank Racing and their Acura ARX-06s continued to show strong form, with Tom Blomqvist ultimately securing pole position for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks on Saturday. While practice and qualifying set the tone, the ultimate test came on Sunday. Although Jack Aitken in the No. 31 Cadillac took the GTP victory, Meyer Shank Racing secured a valuable third-place finish with the No. 60 car of Blomqvist and Braun, and a fifth-place finish with the No. 93 car. This result marked MSR’s fourth consecutive podium of the 2025 season, further solidifying their status as a top contender in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as the season heads towards its finale. The latest news from the IMSA circuit continues to highlight MSR’s competitiveness and their successful partnership with Acura.
The featured practice session at Indianapolis provided a clear indication of Meyer Shank Racing’s intent for the remainder of the 2025 season. With a potent package and a team firing on all cylinders, MSR is poised to continue challenging for wins and championships, making them a key story in recent motorsport news.
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