Mario Farnbacher and Matthew McMurry are set to join forces for a 2020 IMSA GTD campaign in Meyer Shank Racing’s #86 Acura NSX GT3 EVO.
The championship-winning MSR squad will look to continue its strong record of success with Acura, Acura Motorsports and Honda Performance Development (HPD) during the 2020 IMSA season. The full plans for its 2020 IMSA (and IndyCar) campaign are still forming.
Farnbacher will race for MSR for a third straight season with this programme, in 2020. The 2019 IMSA GTD champion will defend his crown (he had a win and four podiums en route to the title) alongside team returnee McMurry.
“I’m excited to be back with the Meyer Shank Racing guys next year,” Farnbacher said. We had a great 2019 season and we will head into 2020 with the same goal. I’m looking forward to working with Matthew, I know he drove the Acura NSX GT3 EVO in Europe in the Blancpain Endurance series so he has experience with the car.
“I have raced against him and know him from the paddock and I’m looking forward to getting to work with him. As always with a new driver pairing, we will have to get to know each other a little bit better since we have never driven together but hopefully, we can do that during some testing which will start soon.”
Young American Matt McMurry previously drove for the MSR team back in 2015, in the Prototype class, at both Daytona and Road Atlanta. Last season he competed with PR1 in the LMP2 class and won the class title. He did also spend time racing an NSX GT3, over in Europe for Jenson Team Rocket RJN in the Blancpain Endurance Cup.
“It’s an honour to be selected to join the Meyer Shank Racing team again!” said McMurry. “I can’t imagine a better place to be for the 2020 IMSA season than in an Acura NSX GT3 EVO at MSR. It’s a perfect fit coming from a great run in the NSX in the Blancpain Endurance Championship, a successful internship at Honda Performance Development, and an IMSA LMP2 championship. I’m excited to be driving with Mario this year too, he’s a great guy and I think we’ll make a good team.
“It’s not often you get two IMSA champions in one car! The Roar Before the 24 is quickly approaching and I couldn’t be more excited!”
For the team, the 2020 season will be its fourth racing with Acura. During its time as an Acura GTD team, the outfit has five wins, five poles, 12 podiums and two IMSA titles.
“I’m really happy with the lineup that we have in the #86 Acura for next year and am looking forward to building on what we accomplished this season,” concluded team boss Michael Shank. “Mario has done a stellar job and he has been a big asset to this team and getting the championship.
“Having Matthew come back onboard is also very exciting. He’s had plenty of seat time in the NSX over in Europe this year and he should be able to find his feet quickly over here. As always its an honour to continue our work with Acura Motorsports and HPD. It’s going on four years now and they have been great to work with and we hope that we can continue to deliver results for them next year.”
