Honda Performance Development anticipates an increased presence next year for its Acura NSX GT3 model in IMSA’s GT Daytona category.

Michael Shank Racing operated HPD’s factory NSX GT3 program in 2017, winning a pair of races for the brand, and the team is expected to continue with the Nos. 86 and 93 entries in 2018, albeit as a privateer outfit. Shank told recently told RACER one of the cars is set for a full-time campaign, and the second is likely to be confirmed in the coming weeks. It’s unclear, however, whether the second MSR Acura will be full-time or set for IMSA’s four-race North American Endurance Cup program.

Strong rumors of a Rolex 24 At Daytona entry for the Honda America Racing Team (HART) using one of the RealTime Racing NSX GT3s from the Pirelli World Challenge series also continue to circulate, and according to HPD senior program manager Lee Niffenegger, another Acura could also be on its way to GTD.

“I believe there will be a third car, but I can’t say who it will be, and there are discussion on a fourth car,” he told RACER. “On the IMSA side, things went well last year, and there’s also interest in Asia. I just got back from Macau, and results get people interested. The success in IMSA opened the door to being involved with some new customers. I hope it comes to fruition, but until the check clears, you want to be cautious.”