High Hopes as Thompson and Vasser Sullivan Racing Head to Sebring

Mar 11, 2023

High Hopes as Thompson and Vasser Sullivan Racing Head to Sebring

SEBRING, FLORIDA

Parker Thompson’s 2023 race season enters its second stage next week as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship heads to Sebring International Raceway (March 16-18). Following his appearance at the Rolex 24 at Daytona early this year, Thompson continues his role as endurance specialist, joining Vasser Sullivan Racing and teammates Aaron Telitz and Frankie Montecalvo. The driver trio will take on the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, piloting the black and yellow No. 12 SealMaster Lexus Racing USA entry in GTD class.

Set on a World War II-era airfield, The 6.0-km Sebring road course is arguably the most punishing circuit on the IMSA schedule. Known for churning bumps and heavy braking zones, Thompson and Vasser Sullivan will lean on a Lexus RC F GT3 racecar that has been thoroughly developed through four seasons of IMSA endurance competition.

In January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, Thompson and the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan crew executed a clean race and challenged the front of the 23-car GTD field, ultimately finishing in fifth place. After a promising series test at Sebring last month, the team will look to move up the rankings when the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring launches on March 18th at 10:10 AM EST.

“Coming off a great first outing, I expect that the No. 12 SealMaster Lexus Racing USA machine at Vasser Sullivan will be Challenging for a win at Sebring! With a new car, a new series, and even a new track at Daytona, the team around me has been incredible in helping me get up to speed. Now I’ve had more time in the car, and we are heading to a track I know well! I can’t wait for another crack at North America’s bumpiest track. You always have to respect the rugged surface at Sebring, but I was shocked at how good our Lexus was during testing. Compared to other cars I’ve driven at Sebring, it was much easier to keep the car composed through turns 1 and 17. I’ll work hard with our Vasser Sullivan team to ensure I can still say the same thing on race day. Let’s go win a silver platter!” – Parker Thompson

About Vasser Sullivan Racing:

Vasser Sullivan Racing is owned by 1996 INDYCAR Champion, Jimmy Vasser and Dallas businessman, James “Sulli” Sullivan. Vasser Sullivan has been aligned with Lexus since 2019. During their four-year partnership, Vasser Sullivan and Lexus have amassed an impressive record securing 10 wins, 14 pole positions, and finishing on the podium a prominent 61% of the time. Vasser Sullivan were recently crowned 2022 Petit Le Mans Champions, giving Lexus its first IMSA endurance championship win. In 2022, the team finished second in the GTD PRO manufacturer, team and driver championships, finished second at the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, and are the 2020 IMSA GTD Sprint Cup Champions. Vasser and Sullivan first partnered together to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from 2011-2016 with Team KVSH. They teamed-up again for another four INDYCAR seasons as Dale Coyne Vasser Sullivan Racing. The Vasser Sullivan INDYCAR partnership has recorded six wins including winning the 2013 Indianapolis 500.

About Lexus:

The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its seventh season in the GTD class, and second year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. During its previous four seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 10 wins, 28 podium finishes and 14 pole positions with the RC F GT3. Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, two F performance models and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

Event Information

2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Thursday, March 16, 2023
10:10 AM EST – Practice 1
3:50 PM EST – Practice 2
7:45 PM EST – Practice 3

Friday, March 17, 2023
8:55 AM EST – Practice 4
9:15 AM EST – Qualifying

Saturday, March 18, 2023
8:00 AM EST – Warm Up
10:10 AM EST – Race Start

For flag-to-flag coverage of the event visit IMSA.TV. Follow Parker throughout the weekend at https://parkerthompsonracing.com/live

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Thompson Earns Fifth-place finish in IMSA WeatherTech Debut at Rolex 24

Feb 1, 2023

Thompson Earns Fifth-place finish in IMSA WeatherTech Debut at Rolex 24

The 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship launched this past weekend as 61 entries in five classes joined the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Parker Thompson made his debut in the series, joining Vasser Sullivan Racing to help pilot the number 12 Lexus RC F GT3 to a fifth-place finish in GTD class.

The 24-year-old Canadian split driving duties with teammates Kyle Kirkwood, Aaron Telitz, and Frankie Montecalvo, completing an incident-free race. Among twenty-three GTD class entries, the squad lead a total of 26 laps. In the final hour, they battled closely with the front of the field, rising to as high as second position before delivering the yellow and black number 12 to the checkered flag in fifth position.

The result indicates a strong debut for Thompson, who commanded the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 for over five hours on track and even led all GTD entries during his first stint. All throughout the Rolex 24 weekend, Thompson demonstrated excellent pace, placing at the front of the field during practice sessions. In the context of the 24-hour race, Thompson emphasized the importance of managing his pace and working as part of a driver team.

Parker Thompson:
“I’m so honored to join Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA here at the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona. We may have had our sights set on a better finish, but from top to bottom, I’m proud of our effort and the role that I played. From a new race car, new track, new team, and new series format, I had a lot to learn leading up to this race. The crew and driver team at Vasser Sullivan did an incredible job helping me adapt and get comfortable.

SealMaster and Lexus Racing USA were out in full force, hosting hundreds of guests throughout the weekend. I had a lot of fun joining their festivities. There is no doubt that Jimmy and Sulli have put together an outstanding team, and I’m wholeheartedly thankful for this opportunity. I am excited to take all I learned here this weekend and apply to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17th.”

Images credit Sideline Sports Photography

About Vasser Sullivan Racing:

Vasser Sullivan Racing is owned by 1996 INDYCAR Champion, Jimmy Vasser and Dallas businessman, James “Sulli” Sullivan. Vasser Sullivan has been aligned with Lexus since 2019. During their four-year partnership, Vasser Sullivan and Lexus have amassed an impressive record securing 10 wins, 14 pole positions, and finishing on the podium a prominent 61% of the time. Vasser Sullivan were recently crowned 2022 Petit Le Mans Champions, giving Lexus its first IMSA endurance championship win. In 2022, the team finished second in the GTD PRO manufacturer, team and driver championships, finished second at the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, and are the 2020 IMSA GTD Sprint Cup Champions.

Vasser and Sullivan first partnered together to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from 2011-2016 with Team KVSH. They teamed-up again for another four INDYCAR seasons as Dale Coyne Vasser Sullivan Racing. The Vasser Sullivan INDYCAR partnership has recorded six wins including winning the 2013 Indianapolis 500.

About Lexus:

The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its seventh season in the GTD class, and second year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. During its previous four seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 10 wins, 28 podium finishes and 14 pole positions with the RC F GT3.

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, two F performance models and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

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Parker Thompson To Drive For Vasser Sullivan In All 2023 IMSA Endurance Races

Dec 19, 2022

Parker Thompson To Drive For Vasser Sullivan In All 2023 IMSA Endurance Races

CONCORD, NC

Parker Thompson is pleased to announce that he will join Vasser Sullivan Racing to compete for the team in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. Thompson will co-drive the SealMaster liveried No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 entry alongside Aaron Telitz and Frankie Montecalvo in all four Endurance Cup events beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona followed by the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen and the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Parker Thompson:
“I can’t thank Sulli and Jimmy Vasser enough for this opportunity. They’ve put together an amazing group of engineers and crew members. I’m very proud to drive the Lexus brand and represent both them and Vasser Sullivan in 2023. I’m looking forward to making my professional WeatherTech debut. My first impression of the Lexus RC F GT3 after driving it during our recent test is it’s pretty awesome. It has a lot of horsepower on the bottom end and you’ve got to make sure you watch the rear tires. It’s a really cool car and has a lot more weight in the front than I’m used to driving, but nothing I can’t adapt to. It’s got a steering wheel, four wheels and a motor. I’m really looking forward to my first Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.”

Vasser Sullivan Team Principals Jimmy Vasser and James ‘Sulli’ Sullivan:
“We’ve had a close eye on Parker for two years. After getting to know him, and witnessing his work ethic and accomplishments throughout various ladders series, it’s clear to Vasser Sullivan Lexus, this is a great home for Parker to take the next step in his career. Coming off the Petit win in the No.14 car, we’re hungry to add the No.12 car to the top step of the podium.

The Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 entries return to the track in the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 20-22 to prepare for the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 28-29.

About Vasser Sullivan Racing:

Vasser Sullivan Racing is owned by 1996 INDYCAR Champion, Jimmy Vasser and Dallas businessman, James “Sulli” Sullivan. Vasser Sullivan has been aligned with Lexus since 2019. During their four-year partnership, Vasser Sullivan and Lexus have amassed an impressive record securing 10 wins, 14 pole positions, and finishing on the podium a prominent 61% of the time. Vasser Sullivan were recently crowned 2022 Petit Le Mans Champions, giving Lexus its first IMSA endurance championship win. In 2022, the team finished second in the GTD PRO manufacturer, team and driver championships, finished second at the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona, and are the 2020 IMSA GTD Sprint Cup Champions.

Vasser and Sullivan first partnered together to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from 2011-2016 with Team KVSH. They teamed-up again for another four INDYCAR seasons as Dale Coyne Vasser Sullivan Racing. The Vasser Sullivan INDYCAR partnership has recorded six wins including winning the 2013 Indianapolis 500.

About Lexus:

The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its seventh season in the GTD class, and second year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. During its previous four seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 10 wins, 28 podium finishes and 14 pole positions with the RC F GT3.

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, two F performance models and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

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Parker Thompson Wins 2022 Carrera Cup North America Pro Championship

Sep 30, 2022

Parker Thompson Wins 2022 Carrera Cup North America Pro Championship

Atlanta, GA

In the final rounds of the 2022 season of Carrera Cup North America presented by Cayman Islands, Parker Thompson overcame an 11-point deficit to earn the Pro-class championship title. Driving the white, red, and yellow No. 9 machine of JDX Racing, Thompson earned a win and a third-place finish in two races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The result delivers him more points than all challengers and the series’ top accolade.

Thompson’s performance in the season finale was indicative of his season’s campaign. With five wins through sixteen rounds, Thompson was one of five Pro-class drivers to climb to the top of the podium. Where Thompson stood apart was consistency. Finishing in the top-three twelve times and the top-five fourteen times, Thompson was a constant presence at the front of the field. Thompson had more success avoiding trouble than other drivers in a sometimes tumultuous field of Porsche race cars.

The same held true this week at Road Atlanta. While other top performers fell victim to racing incidents, Thompson quietly drove to a victory and a third-place finish. The twenty-four-year-old Canadian easily buried an eleven-point deficit in championship points cinching the title with a sixteen-point cushion over his nearest competitor.

Parker Thompson
“I’m so proud of this JDX Racing team! All season long we battled, and usually from behind. We worked, we studied, and we never quit. That takes great leadership. Jeremy and JoAnne Dale along with Harrison Brix aren’t just the letters in JDX, they are the reason I have a career in Motorsports and a Championship today. Our partnership group with Kevin King at Byers Porsche, Bill, Beth, and Michael Wappler at Surgere, everyone at Shell Tap-Up, Renier Construction, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and SSi Artificial Lift, plus all of our people with boots on the ground for race days have shown a resounding commitment to our campaign. There is no doubt in my mind that we have earned this title on merit. I will never be able to thank Luke, Larry, Darryl, Dan and the rest of the crew at JDX enough for their time away from families invested on the #9’s success.

I’m still a young guy, but from the number of times I’ve finished second in championships, I sometimes feel like I’ve been around a long time. I’m so grateful to take this title. Porsche Motorsport North America and IMSA put on an outstanding series. The 992 Cup has been a pleasure to learn and drive, and the level of competition between drivers has been like no other series I’ve experienced. No doubt some of my fellow drivers might also be worthy champions, but I’ll take the title and offer full recognition to one team that clearly outdid the rest – even if we only had one car!”

Images credit Bob Chapman / Autosport Image

Event Results

CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICA PRESENTED BY CAYMAN ISLANDS
FINAL ROUNDS – Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

Qualifying – Official (PDF)
Race 1 – Provisional (PDF)
Race 2 – Provisional (PDF)
Championship Standings – Provisional (PDF)

Complete results are available at results.imsa.com

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Momentous Opportunity for Thompson as Carrera Cup North America Concludes at Road Atlanta

Sep 26, 2022

Momentous Opportunity for Thompson as Carrera Cup North America Concludes at Road Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA

The 2022 season of Carrera Cup North America presented by Cayman Islands, will conclude this week with a pair of races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. After seven weekends and fourteen races, the championship standings in Carrera Cup North America’s Pro-class are closer now than they were after only the first weekend of racing. Mathematically, the championship title is open to one of four drivers. Driving the No. 9 JDX Racing machine, Parker Thompson enters the event holding second place in the standings, just eleven points off the lead.

With four wins in fourteen races to date, only the current points leader, Kelly Moss Racing driver Kay Van Berlo, has more wins than Thompson. Ten podium finishes have made twenty-four-year-old Thompson the series’ most consistent performer. That consistency allowed Thompson to momentarily capture the top spot in the standings earlier this month in Indianapolis before a mid-race collision in the latter half of that weekend resulted in Thompson’s only DNF of the season and dropped him back into second.

Now, Thompson will look to retake that lead spot through two races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. With 25 points available to the race winner and 20, 17, 14, and 12 points available to subsequent finishers, a two-point bonus for pole position, and an extra point for the fastest race lap, there are a variety of scenarios that would allow Thompson to make up the 11 point difference to the leader. The most emphatic of those would follow from Thompson piloting the white, red, and yellow JDX Racing Porsche 992 to pole position and a pair of race wins. That will be precisely his focus when the action begins mid-week. Practice sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, with Qualifying and Race 1 on Thursday. The season concludes with Race 2 on Friday morning.

Parker Thompson
“From the opening race at Sebring up to the finale here at Road Atlanta, I’m proud of our effort this season. We knew when we started that we were not the big dog in this fight, but here we are, and the ultimate goal is within reach. Every member of the JDX Racing crew, our partners at Surgere, Shell Tap-Up, Byers Porsche, Renier Construction, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and SSi Artificial Lift, has shown the tenacity and commitment of a champion. Now we’re in a dream position – sweep the weekend here, and we will win the championship.”

Event Information

2022 Carrera Cup North America
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Rounds 15 & 16

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Practice 1 >> 09:45 AM EST
Practice 2 >> 01:30 PM EST

Thursday, September 29, 2022
Qualifying >> 09:00 AM EST
Race 1 >> 05:00 PM EST

Friday, September 30, 2022
Race 2 >> 10:55 AM EST

Flag-to-flag coverage of the race is available on https://porschecarreracup.us. Follow Parker throughout the weekend at https://parkerthompsonracing.com/live

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Thompson Closes In On Carrera Cup Championship During Volatile Action At IMS

Sep 4, 2022

Thompson Closes In On Carrera Cup Championship During Volatile Action At IMS

Indianapolis, IN

Carrera Cup North America presented by Cayman Islands, was the highlight of Sports Car Together Fest in an all-Porsche weekend on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Thirty-five Porsche 992 Cup cars joined the weekend as drivers in three classes contended in rounds 13 and 14 of the season championship. Parker Thompson and the No. 9 Pro-class entry of JDX Racing, Shell Tap-Up, Surgere, Byers Porsche, Renier Construction, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and SSi Artificial Lift showed one of their strongest performances of the season. The twenty-four-year-old Indianapolis resident demonstrated great pace, earning the pole position during Qualifying and a win in Saturday’s Race 1.

With the season nearing its end and the overall championship within reach for multiple drivers, competition in the series was at maximum intensity all weekend. While Thompson never showed the best pace during practice sessions on Friday, when Qualifying launched on Saturday morning, he was the best of the group. By a margin of only seven-thousandths of a second, Thompson and the white, red, and yellow No. 9 car earned the first place starting position for Race 1 that afternoon.

Thompson capitalized on his pole position in that race and carried the lead from start to finish. Behind him, tight racing entangled other drivers. After an incident of contact and a penalty among the top five, Thompson took maximum advantage of the twenty-seven points he earned for his performance. With the weekend half complete, the native Canadian momentarily climbed into the top spot in the season’s championship standings.

Action in Race 2 on Sunday afternoon did not show Thompson the same favor. On the second lap, the No. 9 was hit from behind when a trailing car experienced brake failure at the end of the 170 mph front straight. A glancing blow destroyed the left rear wheel and tire of Thompson’s Porsche, ending his race early.

With zero points earned in the second of two races, Thompson surrendered much of the advantage he gained early in the weekend. However, a growing amount of parity among drivers draws the championship race closer than ever. Thompson is just eleven points off the lead and will look to finish on top with a dominant performance in the season’s finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on September 28 and 29.

Parker Thompson

“A tremendous weekend here at Sports Car Together Fest with Porsche! We had a great group of people on site here, and the whole crew had an incredible time. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has always treated me well, and it certainly did that again here in Race 1. I need to give tonnes of credit to our partners off the track, Shell Tap Up, Surgere, Byers Porsche, Renier Construction, SSi Artificial Lift, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and especially my engineer Luke and the team at JDX Racing. The No. 9 was on rails. I had complete confidence in my ability to win here this weekend. Unfortunately, in Race 2 we got collected by another driver, and our day ended early. Sometimes that’s racing. There was nothing I could do. The big thing is that we are in a better position than we were when the weekend started. We knew this season would come down to the final two races at Road Atlanta. We’ll be ready.”