• The #89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR finishes 5th in IMPC season-opener at Daytona
  • The #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR qualified 3rd to start the team's second season with Honda.
  • Honda's #5 and #93 entries retire due to damage and electrical issues

The opening round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, the Endurance Challenge at Daytona, saw Honda secure a top-five finish following four hours of battle. Honda associates Steve Eich, Tyler Chambers, and Chad Gilsinger co-drove the #89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR, going around Daytona International Speedway a total of 109 times and completing the race on the lead lap.

After qualifying tenth on the grid, they began their upward trajectory, gradually gaining positions and navigating through turmoil on track from competitors. Eich took the green flag, completing the opening portion of the race before passing the #89 machine over to Chambers. By the halfway mark, the group had progressed up to seventh in the TCR class. 

Chad Gilsinger completed the final stint, gaining another two positions and ultimately crossing the finish line fifth.

It was a challenging opening event for the remaining two Honda entries. The #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda of William Tally and Tim Lewis was on the receiving end of an on-track collision with another competitor, prematurely ending their debut Honda race within the first hour. Furthermore, at the three-hour mark, the #93 MMG Honda Civic was also forced to retire from the event after sustaining electrical system damage.

Endurance Challenge at Daytona Honda Race Results

  • Finished 5th - #89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR Steve Eich, Tyler Chambers, Chad Gilsinger
  • Finished 12th (Not Running) - #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR Karl Wittmer, LP Montour, Dai Yoshihara
  • Finished 16th (Not Running) - KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR #5 William Tally, Tim Lewis

Quotes
Tyler Chambers (#89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished 5th: "My first stint went pretty much as planned, and we didn't run into any major issues. We had a small infraction during our pit stop, but otherwise everybody did great. We've worked really hard and we're proud of the top 5 result. We all just rallied as we always do to do the best we can, that's our dynamic.

Chad Gilsinger (#89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished 5th: " I'm just super excited that we finished, as we've had some mishaps at Daytona in the past. This event hasn't always been kind to us, but we love coming here nonetheless. We're really happy that we completed the race, and beyond that, our goal is to be the fastest or the highest placing Civic. Obviously, we'd rather finish on the podium, but a top five is good and I'm happy."

Next
Honda will be back in action for the second round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season with a return to Florida for the Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 at Sebring International Raceway on Friday, March 14th at 2:15 PM.

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