Daytona International Speedway, IMSA and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) have announced that HRC Global President, Koji Watanabe, will wave the green flag Saturday afternoon as the honorary starter of the 63rd annual Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Concurrently, the Acura Integra Type S will be the Official Safety Car of this year’s race (pictured above). It is the second time in three years that an Acura will pace the field at the Rolex 24, following the NSX Type S which paced the field in 2023.

“We are excited to have Acura and HRC represented for this year’s prestigious Rolex 24 in such a significant way,” said Honda Racing Corporation USA President, David Salters.. “Acura electrified ARX-06 race cars on track, our sleek Acura Integra Type S cars pacing the race, and our Global President of Honda Racing Corporation, Koji Watanabe, all being involved in this legendary race just shows our commitment to this sport.

“We truly value IMSA and the Rolex 24 and especially the partnership we have with them.”

Watanabe was named as Global President of HRC in 2022, the same year that HRC was reformatted to encompass Honda’s motorcycle and automotive racing activities.

Before becoming Global President of HRC, Watanabe served in a variety of executive roles throughout Honda in a career that’s spanned 38 years: He previously headed up the company’s European and Chinese regional operations, and helped to elevate the global HRC brand and led its corporate communications department.