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Kirkwood in GTD Pro Lexus for Sebring, Petit Le Mans

Kyle Kirkwood to join Hawksworth, Barnicoat in No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3…

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Kyle Kirkwood will form part of the Vasser Sullivan Lexus GTD Pro driver lineup for two of the three remaining IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup rounds this season.

Kirkwood will share the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 with full-time drivers Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans, but not the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.

Hawksworth and Barnicoat were joined by Toyota LMH driver Mike Conway for last month’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, while Kirkwood was a member of the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan crew in GTD.

The 24-year-old American has experience in the GTD Pro ranks and was part of the lineup that won the class at Petit Le Mans last season.

“I’m super excited to be back in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 for the Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans,” said Kirkwood.

“I really enjoyed driving with the No. 12 car group at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. It was a tough race, but we finished in the top five in the largest class field.

“I’m looking forward to driving with Jack and Ben again. The last time we drove together was last year at Petit Le Mans and we won the first endurance race for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. Hopefully we can build on that success this season.”

Kirkwood is adding the Lexus GTD Pro appearances alongside his NTT IndyCar Series program with Andretti Autosport.

As previously reported, Parker Thompson will join Aaron Telitz and Frankie Montecalvo for the Endurance Cup races in the No. 12 Lexus.

“We look forward to having Kyle back in the 14 for the Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans,” said Jeff Bal, senior manager of motorsports, sponsorships and experiential marketing at Lexus Division.

“He’s been an integral part of the Vasser Sullivan and Lexus roster and his racecraft and poise behind the wheel of the Lexus continues to impress.

“Kyle did an incredible job during Rolex along with the rest of the 12 team and we’re excited to see him back in the 14, and expect he’ll be laser-focused along with Jack and Ben to bring home our first Sebring win.”

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.

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