Second Vasser Sullivan Lexus in 27-Car Long Beach Entry

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

A total of 27 cars are set for next weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, including confirmation of a second Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3.

Confirmed on the release of the entry list by IMSA on Wednesday, the GTP and GTD-only class race will again feature a second Lexus, for drivers Aaron Telitz and Frankie Montecalvo.

Ben Barnicoat, who continues his recovery from a mountain biking accident that ruled him out of last month’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Thompson claimed GTD class honors at Long Beach last year in the No. 89 car.

It joins the previously announced No. 177 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R for Laurens Vanthoor and Jonny Edgar, an entry that’s also typically in the GTD Pro ranks, but with different drivers.

Eleven GTP entries are set to do battle in the first sprint race of the year, including the street course debut for Heart of Racing Team’s Aston Martin Valkyrie, while Proton Competition’s Porsche 963 is absent, as expected, with the team undertaking a Michelin Endurance Cup-only campaign this year.

The same is the case for the factory-run Lamborghini SC63, which will appear next at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.

Long Beach will mark Robert Wickens’ GTD debut in the No. 36 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, alongside factory driver Tommy Milner, who will be making a one-off start with the team.

Gradient Racing, meanwhile, will have the new driver pairing of Robert Megennis and Jenson Altzman in its Ford Mustang GT3.

There are no other notable changes to the production-based ranks since the last round at Sebring International Raceway.

Track action begins on Fri. April 11, with practice and qualifying, while the 100-minute race set for a 2:05 p.m. PST start time with live coverage on USA Network and Peacock.

Source: Sports Car 365