Hawksworth, Montecalvo in Second Lexus at Long Beach

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Vasser Sullivan will field a second GTD class Lexus RC F GT3 in next weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, with the No. 89 entry set to be driven by Frankie Montecalvo and Jack Hawksworth.

Hawksworth, who has returned to full-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition in the GTD Pro class alongside Ben Barnicoat, will make a cameo appearance in the Pro-Am-enforced class, replicating the pairing from the 2024 edition of the race.

The No. 89 Lexus finished third in class in last year’s race, with Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz at the wheel.

Telitz is part of the team’s full season GTD entry alongside newcomer Benjamin Pedersen in the No. 12 car.

“Long Beach always puts the spotlight on teamwork and execution,” said team co-owners Jimmy Vasser and James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan in a joint statement.

“We know what it takes to win this iconic race, and having Aaron and Benjamin in the No. 12 alongside Jack and Frankie in the No. 89 gives us two chances to bring home our third victory.”

Lexus Motorsports North America senior manager Jeff Bal added: “Having our full-time GTD duo of Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen in the No. 12, along with Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo sharing the No. 89, gives us two exciting opportunities to capture victory again on the streets of Long Beach.

“This is a historic event, and we’ve been fortunate enough to win twice in recent years as well as a few other podiums here with the Lexus.

“We’re also excited to pay homage to the significance of the number 89 for Lexus, which is a nod to the debut of the Lexus brand, dating back to 1989.

“We look forward to getting on track with Vasser Sullivan as the Lexus RC F GT3s prepare to battle our fierce GTD competitors on the streets of Long Beach.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John