L.A. Honda World Racing heads to Daytona to start the 2020 IMSA seasona

L.A. Honda World Racing returns to the IMSA Michelin pilot challenge with all three Honda Type R TCR cars with a few changes. “We have put in a lot of work in the short off season. From preparing the cars to confirming our driver lineup.” said team principal Luis Perocarpi. “All three of our cars will be podium contenders. Our amazing crew is back with a couple of new team members. The TCR class is going to be tough but we are ready for the challenge!”

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The #37 car is the defending TCR winner of the four hour event with Shelby Blackstock back behind the wheel. Shelby returns to the team with Chris Miller as his new teammate. “Both Shelby and Chris started their racing careers in open wheel and have tons of experience in SportsCar, it’ll be fun to watch them battle for wins”

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I’m thrilled that we were able to put this together and think we have all the pieces to be able to contend for a championship. Luis has been a friend for many years and I’ve wanted to find a way to do a full-season with LAP ever since I raced a Mini with the team a few years ago. I’ve known Shelby as well and have always thought highly of him as a driver. It was great to work with him at the Roar and I know we will be a strong pair. I’ve done a good amount of racing in recent years but I actually haven’t done a full-season in anything since 2010, so it will be great to have a proper run at the championship. I can’t wait to get the season started in just a few days!

— Chris Miller of the Blue #37

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2013 IMSA champ Mike LaMarra and Mat Pombo are back in their #73 car. The duo will start their third season together and are looking to continue to add to their trophy collection. Luis said “Mike and Mat are like my brothers and they have won a lot of races for our team. I expect them to make me build a bigger trophy case.”

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As I roll into my second decade of IMSA racing I realize how much every year is special. My brother, Mark and I have had a lot of wins and podiums over those 10 years, but the most special part of the paddock is the family of friends, teammates, and crew that we’ve made. At the heart of it is LAP Motorsports. Luis and Rob are special, not only because they build and engineer the fastest and baddest cars in everything they do from IndyCar, to IMSA, to Baja, but because they are some of my closest friends in life. It’s a privilege to drive the #73 LAHondaWorld Civic TCR for them another season. I want to thank LAHondaWorld for their support and my teammate Mike LaMarra for putting up we me another year. I’m truly looking forward to this season of racing and getting after it at Daytona and putting this team where they belong on the top step of the podium.

— Mat Pombo of the Red #73 (About)

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I’m thrilled to be back for my 4th year at LAP Motorsports and my 10th season in IMSA racing. I couldn’t be more excited to join my teammate and friend Mat Pombo for another season together with our amazing and hardworking crew at LA Honda World Racing. We really have a special group of people who work tirelessly to produce a unique team experience that yields great results for our Honda dealer partner, http://www.LAHondaWorld.com. I am also grateful for the support of our new partner, PVS Chemicals, who share in our desire to build innovative solutions through teamwork that produces a winning outcome and ‘chemistry for daily life’.

— Mike LaMarra of the Red #73

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All new to the team is the #77 number with Honda Performance Development drivers, rising star Taylor Hagler and veteran Ryan Eversley. “Taylor was tough to beat last year in TC America and Ryan has raced us hard for years so I’m super happy they are both on our side now!” exclaimed Perocarpi.

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I’m looking forward to getting things started this weekend! We had a really good test at the Roar and I was able to learn a lot over those three days. The LA Honda World team was fantastic and made me feel right at home in the Honda Civic Type R TCR. I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate than Ryan as he knows so much about this platform and has years of experience.

— Taylor Hagler of the Green #77 (Above)

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I’m feeling confident for our season opener this weekend at Daytona. I think Taylor and I were in the top 5 in half of the sessions at the roar and the LA Honda World team has been busy getting our Type-R civics ready for the race so things are looking good. This team won Daytona last year so we know they will be keeping us in the hunt and we’re hopeful of a strong result.

— Ryan Eversley of the Green #77 (Below)

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