Thompson Takes Full-Season Role with Vasser Sullivan for 2024 IMSA Season

CHARLOTTE, NC

After a successful IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut with Vasser Sullivan in 2023, Parker Thompson will move to a full-season role with the team in 2024. Thompson and teammate Frankie Montecalvo will drive the SealMaster liveried No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 entry in all IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD events. Aaron Telitz will join the duo for endurance contests.

The twenty-five-year-old Canadian is coming off a 2023 season where he contended four endurance events with the team, helping pilot the black, yellow, and green No. 12 to top-five finishes in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Sebring 12-Hour, while taking victory at Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. Thompson’s talent was also on display in GT4 categories. He earned the GR Supra GT4 EVO its first IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge victory at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in his series debut. He was also part of winning efforts at Circuit of the Americas and Sebring International Raceway in Pirelli GT4 America with Hanley Motorsports.

For Thompson, earning a full-season role with Vasser Sullivan and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship marks a significant step forward in his racing career.

Parker Thompson:

“I couldn’t be prouder to be racing in IMSA WeatherTech GTD full-time in 2024 with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. After a decade of grinding my way up the ladder, it is a dream come true to earn a full-time position in this world-renowned sports car championship with such an esteemed team. The opportunity to continue to represent Vasser Sullivan and Lexus is something I don’t take lightly. I’m hungrier than ever to build off the success we had last year, especially when I get to drive with a stud like Frankie Montecalvo all season long! It’s also fantastic to have proven winner Aaron Telitz join us for the endurance rounds, and keep the continuity that led to the team’s successful finish in 2023. It’s incredible how fast your career can change when you are surrounded by good people, and you can’t find a better group of people than Sulli, Jimmy, Jeff Bal, and all of the men and women behind our Lexus RC F GT3. I can’t thank them enough. It’s time to give everything I have to fight for a Championship in 2024!”

The Vasser Sullivan squad returns to the track January 19-21 with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Thompson, Montecalvo, Telitz, and the No. 12 GTD entry will run alongside the defending GTD Pro Champion No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 of Jack Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat, and Kyle Kirkwood. Hopes are high for Vasser Sullivan and partner Lexus Racing USA as they look to build on the successes of their 2023 season. 

Vasser Sullivan Team Principals Jimmy Vasser and James’ Sulli’ Sullivan:

“We are competing for championships, and Parker, Frankie, and Aaron will co-drive the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus in our fight for the 2024 IMSA GTD class championship. Consistency is the nucleus of our GTD Championship bid, and we’ve got that here with these drivers who are all winners.” 

Jeff Bal, Senior Manager – Motorsports, Experiential Marketing & Sponsorships – Lexus Division

“We’re thrilled to have three race-winning drivers back with Vasser Sullivan in the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 for the 2024 season. Aaron and Frankie have both been key partners of ours behind the wheel of the RC F GT3, and we’re excited to see a young, up-and-coming talent like Parker competing full-time in the Lexus next season. All three drivers were a part of the program’s historic double win at Watkins Glen last season and we’re confident they will chase more wins and the GTD class championship in 2024.” 

ABOUT VASSER SULLIVAN

Vasser Sullivan Racing is owned by 1996 INDYCAR Champion, Jimmy Vasser and Dallas businessman James “Sulli” Sullivan. Vasser Sullivan is the reigning IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Champions, having clinched the 2023 GTD Pro Driver, Team, and Manufacturer Championship together with Lexus. Vasser Sullivan and Lexus have been partners since 2019, amassing an impressive record of 13 wins, 39 podium finishes and 18 pole positions in their five-year partnership.

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 major INDYCAR wins including being crowned 2013 Indianapolis 500 champions.

Vasser and Sullivan together have won the IMSA GTD Pro Championship, the GTD Sprint Cup title, The Indianapolis 500, Petit Le mans, Watkins Glen Six Hours, medaled at the ESPN X-Games (Rallycross) and secured second and third place finishes at the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona.

About Lexus

The Lexus RC F GT3 enters its eighth season in the GTD class, and third year in the GTD PRO category, competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Over the last six seasons, Lexus and Vasser Sullivan have combined to earn 13 wins, 39 podium finishes and 18 pole positions with the RC F GT3. Lexus won its first full-season IMSA GTD PRO Manufacturers Championship on the strength of two wins and podium positions in nine of 11 races in 2023.

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 eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, one F performance model and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.