Long Beach, California – Following a GT class track-record pole by Parker Thompson on Friday, the No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3 captured the GTD class victory in the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday. Thompson, along with Ben Barnicoat, delivered Lexus and Vasser Sullivan’s second consecutive win on the streets of Long Beach (GTD PRO class winners in 2023) and the second consecutive win this season for the team following the GTD PRO victory at Sebring last month.

The No. 89 was in control for most of the 100-minute sprint race on the way to victory. Thompson led the way early on, building a multi-second gap to the pack behind him during his 40-minute stint. With one hour and two minutes remaining, Thompson brought the No. 89 into the pits where Barnicoat took over and followed suit. The Brit never looked back during his run, even with a late-race caution, ultimately reaching victory lane when the checkered flag flew.

The victory marks the second GTD class victory for both drivers, coupling Barnicoat’s class win at Detroit in 2022 and Thompson’s win last season at Watkins Glen. Overall, this is Barnicoat’s seventh career IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship win and the second for Thompson.

Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo came home 15th in the GTD class with the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3. The No. 12 started on the front row next to its sister car with Montecalvo behind the wheel. However, an early-race penalty dropped the New Jersey native to the rear of the GTD class. Montecalvo fought his way back up the field before handing the wheel to Hawksworth with just over an hour remaining. Hawksworth also showed tremendous grit, battling his way up the running order before suffering left rear damage to the Lexus RC F after contact with 33 minutes remaining, which ended the day early for the No. 12 team.

The Vasser Sullivan Lexus team returns to action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, May 12. To keep up with all the racing action, follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by using #LexusPerformance.

Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes

BEN BARNICOAT, No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3
What does it mean to get another win here Long Beach?

“I have to say a huge thank you to the team. Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA, TRD (Toyota Racing Development). We’re on a bit of a roll at the moment, but we had a fantastic season last year, and Daytona is just a small bump in the road. Very lucky to be on this team with all the work they put in, with the hours of dedication to excellence. I don’t believe there’s any other GT team operating, pushing as hard as we are. The results aren’t a shock. You get what you put out, right? I’ve put so much into this and I’m just happy I can deliver the results for them. To go back-to-back here at Long Beach is special. This track is amazing and it’s an amazing venue. The atmosphere of having this race with INDYCAR; I owe Jimmy (Vasser, co-owner) and Sulli (James Sullivan, co-owner) big thank you’s to race in the GTD class today. They gave me a rocket ship RC F GT3. It’s pretty special to be back up here.”

PARKER THOMPSON, No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3
Was it a pretty straightforward race from the pole position today?

“It’s pretty tough when you know execution is the only thing between you and winning the race. There were a lot of pros that qualified yesterday, so I was up against a pretty tough field at the start. But I controlled the race from the start beginning and got a good jump, got into turn 1, handled a couple restarts and saved our Lexus RC F GT3 to make sure Mr. Platinum himself beside me (Ben Barnicoat) could bring it home. It was good!. Really cool, you know the number 89, the significance behind that is 1989 was the first time Lexus came stateside to the U.S. Awesome to honor them and get the win for them. Back-to-back at Long Beach is fantastic.”

JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How would you describe your day?

“It was a very disappointing day. About everything that could go wrong did from the start. The No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus guys worked hard all weekend so I’m very disappointed for them, but no doubt they’ll come back fighting.”

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
What was your race like today?

“It was a tough day for the 12 car. The Vasser Sullivan team gave us a great car and we had a great starting position. But sadly, we received that penalty on the start. And then, we decided to chip away and get our places back one-by-one. But at the end of the day, we had to retire early due to some contact. Congrats to the No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3 for getting the win. Would’ve loved to be there in the end with them up front. Want to thank Vasser Sullivan for the great car and team. Also, I want to thank Lexus for keeping us in the mix.”

About Lexus
The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its eighth season in the GTD class, and third year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Over the last six seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 13 wins, 39 podium finishes and 19 pole positions with the RC F GT3. Lexus won its first full-season IMSA GTD PRO Manufacturers Championship on the strength of two wins and podium positions in nine of 11 races in 2023.
 
Lexus' passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.