IMSA has released the entry list for the upcoming Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on 17–18 April, with 28 cars including 11 GTP and 17 GTD entries.
One noteworthy change in GTP is the addition of Porsche works driver Laurin Heinrich in the #5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963, replacing Nico Pino for this event. In his first year as a top-tier Porsche works driver, 2024 IMSA GTD Pro champion Heinrich has already taken overall victories for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
Heinrich will make his first start on the streets of Long Beach, as will Frederik Vesti, driving the #31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R in place of Earl Bamber, who will honour his commitment to Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in this weekend’s FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola.
The GTD class features three one-off entries from regular GTD Pro competitors. In addition to the already-announced entries from defending Long Beach class winner AO Racing (#177 Porsche 911 GT3 R) and Pfaff Motorsports (#46 Lamborghini Temerario GT3), Vasser Sullivan Racing will enter both of its Lexus RC F GT3s.
The #89 Lexus of Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo will join the full-season GTD #12 Lexus of Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen. Vasser Sullivan Racing has won twice on the streets Long Beach in 2023 (GTD Pro) and 2024 (GTD), and both Vasser Sullivan cars finished on the GTD podium at Long Beach last year, in second and third.
“Having our full-time GTD duo of Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen in the #12, along with Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo sharing the #89, gives us two exciting opportunities to capture victory again on the streets of Long Beach,” said Jeff Bal, Senior Manager of Lexus Motorsports.
“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.”
Among the regular entries, DXDT Racing’s #36 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R will feature the much-anticipated IMSA return of Robert Wickens, competing in the first of five IMSA sprint rounds alongside co-driver Mason Filippi.
Callum Ilott will drive the #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche at Long Beach, which was set to be the one race he would sit out due to his commitments to Prema Racing in the IndyCar Series. But with Prema absent from IndyCar, Ilott will have the chance to race at Long Beach alongside co-driver and team owner Adam Adelson.
With Heart of Racing Team competing in both IMSA and WEC, Spencer Pumpelly replaces Aston Martin THOR Team Hypercar driver Tom Gamble in the #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo at Long Beach.
In addition, Corey Lewis begins his IMSA sprint campaign alongside Jake Walker in the #66 Gradient Racing Ford Mustang GT3 Evo, and Sheena Monk will run the full season in the #16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford – news which was already confirmed by DSC in November.
Images © IMSA, Porsche
