Japanese Driver Kakunoshin Ohta To Test This Week for Meyer Shank

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) announced Sept. 29 that Japanese driver Kakunoshin Ohta – also one of Acura MSR’s IMSA endurance drivers - will take part in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES test Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Ohta, 26, has built a strong reputation in Japan’s top open-wheel categories. He competes in the highly competitive Super Formula Championship, where he has earned four podium finishes this season, including three victories, and is third in the championship standings.

In addition to his Super Formula duties, Ohta has also raced with Acura MSR in the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 in three of the five IMSA endurance rounds – Daytona, Watkins Glen and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks earlier this month on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

“I’m so excited to drive an Indy car and very thankful to (team co-owner) Mike (Shank) for giving me this opportunity,” Ohta said. “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.”

The test at Mid-Ohio will be Ohta’s first outing in an INDYCAR SERIES car and highlights the team’s ongoing commitment to providing crossover opportunities between its IMSA and INDYCAR programs.

“We’re excited to give Kaku this opportunity,” team co-owner Mike Shank said. “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.”

In Ohta’s three IMSA outings with Acura MSR, he and his teammates have earned three top-10 finishes, including fifth in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks on Sept. 21 at IMS.