Following the October announcement that MSR’s #86 entry will be raced by Jackie Heinricher, Katherine Legge, Bia Figueiredo (Ana Beatriz) and Simona De Silvestro, the team has named Trent Hindman and Mario Farnbacher as fulltime drivers in the #57 Acura.

Justin Marks will join this pair for the four Michelin Endurance Cup rounds while Allmendinger is fourth man for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Farnbacher, who joined MSR for five races last season and drove to victory with Legge in Detroit and to a podium finish at VIRginia International Raceway, remarked: “I am super happy to be back with MSR and then to drive the full season is a mega bonus. I am so happy and thankful for this opportunity.

“The Acura NSX GT3 is a great platform, and I am convinced the Evo will be a really competitive ride for 2019.”

Hindman, who helped take MSR to runner-up finishes at the Rolex 24 and Petit Le Mans, added: “It’s been five years of scrapping in GS, Super Trofeo, and various other categories to finally be in a position to run in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship full time.

“This is absolutely a dream come true and I owe the world to Mike (Shank) and the entire Meyer Shank Racing team for the opportunity of a lifetime. This is a team that I’ve come to grow very close with in my role in the endurance races in 2018. I am honored and I am thankful.”

Allmendinger, who drove to overall victory at Daytona with MSR back in 2012, campaigned the team’s Acura at Daytona this year, joining Legge, Hindman and Alvaro Parente to claim second place in GTD.

He commented: “This race will always be more special than most. The prestige of the Rolex 24 hour race doesn’t compare to anything else – Daytona, all the great drivers that have raced in it and won, past and present.

“To have my name a part of that list is a great honor to me, but what truly will always make it more special is racing with MSR and Mike himself. I’m pumped to give it a go with him again to try and get our second Rolex victory.”

Shank said: “We are happy to continue with the Acura program and the new Evo improvements have shown well at our tests. There’s a sense of ease having both of our cars go full season from the start.

"Both Mario and Trent really impressed me last year. Being a third driver is a difficult thing and they both knocked it out of the park so I’m happy to have them come back for the full season.

“It’s also great to have Justin back for the endurance races and of course I am always honored to have AJ race in my cars. He’s part of the MSR family and we will always have a seat ready for him.”