2022 IMSA LMP3 champion Colin Braun will join Tom Blomqvist in the #60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX 06 for the full 2023 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season.
Braun will make his return to the MSR squad having raced for the team in the 2009 edition of the Rolex 24. Braun and MSR also partnered in 2013 to set a speed record at Daytona International Speedway onboard MSR’s Daytona Prototype, posting a 222.971 mph lap.
Braun has competed in a wide variety of racing machinery, from stock cars, trucks, GT cars and Prototypes. The American racer has multiple race wins at North America’s premier events – the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
Braun has competed in 18 consecutive Rolex 24s and also has one 24 Hours of Le Mans start which saw him, at 17-years old, become the youngest 24 Hours of Le Mans podium finisher in 2007.
Braun’s success in the IMSA WeatherTech championship has also included three prototype championships (2014 & 2015 in Prototype Challenge & 2022 in LMP3) with CORE Autosport together with long-time driving partner Jon Bennett.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining Meyer Shank Racing for the 2023 season,” said Braun.
“MSR were tough competitors back in my Grand-Am days and setting the Daytona speed record with them was really special. Seeing what Mike (Shank) has built from the outside has always been impressive. You can see the passion the entire team has for racing and their drive to win is really motivating.”
“MSR had a terrific season in 2022 and I know expectations are high to deliver, but I am ready for the challenge,” said Braun. “I’m also looking forward to co-driving with Tom. His experience on the electric side of racing will be a huge boost for us. I am ready to get to work and to once again compete in IMSA’s top class for wins and championships in the Acura GTP car!”
Mike Shank: “Colin came out and tested for us and I think we all knew he would adjust well with the amount of experience he has,” said Shank. “We were lucky enough to work together a while back at the Daytona 24 and we set a speed record at Daytona together as well, so we knew he would be a good fit. He and Tom (Blomqvist) got along great and we have a solid lineup going into the 2023 season.”
MSR will debut the #60 Acura ARX-06 LMDh car at the Roar Before the 24 in January with its Rolex 24 lineup with Blomqvist and Braun joined by MSR IndyCar regulars, Simon Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves.
Pic top: Rick Dole
