Second at Long Beach Moves Thompson and Vasser Sullivan to 2nd in GTD Standings

LONG BEACH, CA — Parker Thompson and Jack Hawksworth delivered a strong result for the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, finishing second in the 50th running of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The result marks the team’s second consecutive podium and moves them into second place in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD standings.

Thompson started Saturday’s 100-minute sprint race from pole after an impressive qualifying effort on Friday. In the race, he controlled the opening stint, leading 25 laps and building a comfortable gap at the front of the GTD field. After 37 minutes, he handed the car over to Hawksworth during the team’s scheduled pit stop. The No. 12 crew opted for a left-side-only tire change to gain time in pit lane, but the stop, combined with prototype traffic, saw Hawksworth return to the track in third position.

Just before the 47-minute mark, Hawksworth overtook the No. 89 sister car to move into second place. He held that position to the checkered flag, securing a second consecutive second-place finish for the No. 12 entry.

“We always knew coming into this race that competitors who aren’t running the full GTD championship might be willing to take more risks,” said Thompson. “But it’s days like today when you have to think big picture. We’re proud of our second-place effort, and we’re holding our heads high as we head to Laguna Seca.” “In terms of a points day, it was really good,” said Hawksworth. “The weekend as a whole was really great. Parker did a great lap in qualifying to get us up front, and the first half of the race was going really well. We were just on the wrong side of strategy. We pitted too early and ended up in prototype traffic. That allowed a few cars to jump ahead. I tried to put pressure on the leader, but we just didn’t quite have enough. Still, it was a great result for the championship.” The result continues a strong legacy for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA on the streets of Long Beach. The team has now scored four consecutive podium finishes at the event across GTD and GTD PRO competition, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. The finish marks Thompson’s second consecutive podium at Long Beach. In 2024, he won the GTD class at the event alongside Ben Barnicoat. It is also Thompson’s fourth career IMSA pole position—three of which came in 2024 at Daytona, Long Beach, and Watkins Glen. Hawksworth and Thompson are contesting the full 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in the GTD category. The No. 12 SealMaster-liveried Lexus RC F GT3 now sits second in the GTD championship standings heading into the next sprint round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.