Vasser Sullivan, Lexus Split Up Hawksworth, Barnicoat in Shuffle

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Vasser Sullivan has split up former IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro champions Jack Hawskworth and Ben Barnicoat from its 2025 driver lineup, with Hawksworth moving to the team’s GTD entry alongside Parker Thompson.

Confirmed on Wednesday, Barnicoat will partner with Aaron Telitz in the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 for the full GTD Pro season, with Hawksworth effectively taking the place of Frankie Montecalvo in the No. 12 GTD entry with the returning Thompson.

Montecalvo, meanwhile, will focus on a Michelin Endurance Cup-only campaign in the No. 12 Lexus, while Kyle Kirkwood will be the third driver in the No. 14 GTD Pro Lexus for the long-distance races, beginning with this month’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, where he will pull double duty, also being listed in the team’s GTD entry for for the race.

Additionally, Townsend Bell is set to return to driving duties for Daytona, completing the lineup in the team’s GTD Pro entry alongside his NBC Sports commentary duties.

A reason for the shakeup involving the 2023 GTD Pro class champions was not disclosed by the team or manufacturer.

Hawksworth and Barnicoat had been co-drivers since the launch of the all-pro GT3 class in 2022.

“The 2025 IMSA season can’t come soon enough,” said Lexus Motorsports senior manager Jeff Bal. “The only thing more difficult than winning the 2023 championship, was defending it.

“We learned that the hard way last year and haven’t taken a day off since the checkered flag at Road Atlanta in October.

“The entire Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing team has managed through the highs and the lows, coming into this season fully focused and committed to winning it all.

“The driver lineups showcase that we’ve got what it takes to win and we’re intending to do just that beginning with Daytona.

“IMSA continues to put on an incredible show for all race fans and we’re fortunate to be racing among many of the world’s greatest, most storied programs. This year’s going to be one for the ages.”

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