Meyer Shank Racing will give Kakunoshin ‘Kaku’ Ohta his first run in an IndyCar on Wednesday at Mid-Ohio.
The Honda-affiliated driver joined MSR’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team this season as the third driver at three endurance rounds and has impressed with each outing in the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 GTP entry alongside Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly. Outside of the three enduros with MSR, Ohta has gained more U.S. mileage in LMP2 with the Era Motorsport team.
Ohta’s gradual integration into North American racing has come as a complement to the 26-year-old’s rise in the Japanese Super Formula championship. Holding third in the same open-wheel series that delivered Alex Palou to IndyCar, Ohta has won three Super Formula races this season – more than any other driver – and has two more events left to try and capture the title. Ahead of the next Super Formula doubleheader at Fuji which takes place on the same weekend as IMSA’s Petit Le Mans season finale, Ohta will sample Honda’s 750hp twin-turbo hybrid V6 engine in one of MSR’s Dallara DW12s at the team’s home track before returning to Japan.
“We’re excited to give Kaku this opportunity,” said Mike Shank. “We love giving drivers the chance to learn and expand their skill set, and we’re very fortunate we can do that because we participate in these two high-level racing series.”
The IndyCar test for Ohta is just as it implies – a test. MSR has Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong signed as its full-time drivers for 2026.
“I’m so excited to drive an Indy car and very thankful to Mike for giving me this opportunity,” said Ohta. “Getting to experience different types of Honda and Acura-powered cars is so valuable, and I can’t wait to see how it compares to what I’m driving now.”