The #16 Red Bull-sponsored Honda shared by Sasahara and Toshiki Oyu was running in sixth place following the pitstop phase, ahead of the Bridgestone-shod NSX-GT of ARTA's Tomoki Nojiri.
But any hopes of a points finish were lost when the team was forced to make a second unscheduled stop on lap 33 of 52, which was followed by a third trip into the pits just a few laps later.
