With Mazda->ke53 and Nissan->ke62 back into top-level U.S. racing with its own TUDOR United SportsCar Championship prototypes, Honda->ke34 Performance Development (HPD), Honda's North American racing company, has created a brand new Daytona Prototype race car->ke148.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged, race-spec version of the 3.5-liter, V-6 engine found in numerous Honda and Acura->ke10 road cars and pickup trucks, the Daytona Prototype LMP1 machine will be run by Starworks Motorsport in this year's TUDOR USCC series.

Honda declined to unveil the amount of power this new engine generates, but said that the unit utilizes numerous production-based components, including block and heads, crankshaft, direct injection fuel system, valvetrain components and alternator. Additionally, HPD also made use of Honda's stock oil filter.

This is not the first time the Japanese manufacturer dusts off the J35 engine for motorsport use. Variations of the mill have been previously seen motivating race cars in Japan's SuperGT Championship, the One Lap of America rally (created by Brock Yates) and the iconic Pikes Peak International Hillclimb->ke1001.

The new LMP1 one entry will join Honda's efforts in the LMP2 category, where Extreme Speed Motorsports will continue to race two Honda ARX-03b vehicles this season.

Click past the jump to read more about the Honda-Riley TUDOR Prototype.

Competitors

2014 Mazda TUDOR Prototype

Unlike its competitors, Mazda's attempt to win the prototype class in the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship will be fueled by a diesel engine. Specifically, the Japanese are bringing their Skyactiv technology to American tracks in the shape of a modified 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 450 horsepower and 580 pound-feet of torque.

Power is sent to the forged aluminum Motegi wheels via a six-speed sequential XTrac transmission operated by paddle shifters, while a set of carbon AP brakes will be in charge with preventing the prototype from going in the green.

The Daytona Prototype-approved body features a comprehensive list of aerodynamic tweaks that could enable diesel-powered Mazda to take on the almighty Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Unfortunately, the Skyactiv prototype won't be seen at Le Mans this year, leaving the Ingolstadt stable to race against Porsche and Toyota.

2014 Ford Riley Technologies Daytona Prototype

Just like Honda, the 2014 Ford Riley prototype is also using a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine. However, the latter comes with an EcoBoost badge and already has two Daytona International Speedway records to brag about. Both of them were established in October 2013 when the prototype set 10-mile and 10-kilometer speed standards from a standing start at 210.017 mph and 203.010 mph respectively.

Developed in conjunction with Riley Technologies, the prototype racer sports an aerodynamic shell created by Ford production designer Garen Nicoghosian and Ford Racing chief of aerodynamics Bernie Marcus.

A Ford Riley EcoBoost prototype will be used by Chip Ganassi Racing, who switched from BMW, throughout the entire 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season.