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.

LONG BEACH, CA — Parker Thompson has claimed pole position for the 50th running of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, qualifying the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 with a time of 1:17.877 on the 11-turn, 1.968-mile temporary street circuit. Thompson will start the 100-minute sprint race and share driving duties with full-season teammate Jack Hawksworth.

This marks Thompson’s second consecutive pole at Long Beach and the third straight for Vasser Sullivan Lexus in GTD competition at the event—an achievement unmatched by any GT team since the inception of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The Canadian enters this weekend as the defending GTD race winner, having secured victory at Long Beach in 2024 alongside then-teammate Ben Barnicoat. He and Hawksworth will now look to continue that momentum in the No. 12 SealMaster-liveried Lexus RC F GT3 as they pursue the 2025 GTD championship title.

“This GTD field is so tight, you can never be too confident,” said Thompson. “I told everyone coming in here my mentality is I didn’t put it on pole last year and I didn’t win the race last year. So it’s good to get another one and I think it paid a lot of dividends for me to get it done. Jack Hawksworth and I are hungry to get this Vasser Sullivan Lexus Racing team another championship. Really, the hard work is done today. We start at the front of the field, and that’s usually where the clearest road is. So tomorrow, we think big picture, and we will try to get that beautiful Long Beach trophy, but we leave here with points first and foremost.”

Thompson is in his second full season with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus, having made his IMSA debut with the team in 2023 as part of their endurance lineup. Including today’s result, he now has four career IMSA pole positions—three of them earned in 2024 at Daytona, Long Beach, and Watkins Glen.

The Grand Prix of Long Beach will be broadcast live on USA Network and Peacock, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 12.

Parker Thompson and the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 returned to the front of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship field this weekend, securing a hard-fought second-place finish at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Alongside teammates Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo, Thompson played a key role in the team’s charge to the podium, leading laps deep into the endurance contest before an aggressive late-race move from a competitor forced them to surrender the top spot.

After a challenging start to the season at Daytona, the strong result at Sebring puts the No. 12 squad firmly back in the championship fight. With two races now complete, Vasser Sullivan Lexus Racing sits sixth in GTD team standings.

The No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 showed its pace early in the weekend, as Hawksworth qualified third in GTD on Friday. The team backed that up with a commanding race performance, leading 73 laps and running at the front of the class throughout the twelve-hour event.

Taking over driving duties during the sunset hours, Thompson delivered two strong stints. Coupled with well-executed and well-timed pit stops by the Vasser Sullivan crew, he made multiple overtakes to push the No. 12 Lexus to the front of the GTD field. With just over three and a half hours of total drive time, he helped position the car for Hawksworth to take the final stint.

In the closing minutes, Hawksworth fought to defend the lead before contact from a competitor forced him to surrender the top spot. Despite the setback, the No. 12 crew secured a well-earned P2 finish, marking an important comeback after their early retirement at Daytona.

With Sebring in the books, Parker Thompson and the Vasser Sullivan Lexus Racing squad set their sights on the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19-20.

Parker Thompson

“To be frustrated with second place at a race like Sebring tells you everything you need to know about this No. 12 team,”said Thompson. “The Lexus RC F GT3 was strong, and the crew executed all day. We put ourselves in position to win, but unfortunately, things didn’t go our way in the final minutes. That said, this result proves what we’re capable of. The fight for the 2025 championship is on!”

SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, FL

Parker Thompson, alongside teammates Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz, demonstrated unwavering determination in Round 2 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Piloting the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus Racing USA RC F GT3 in the GTD class, the group faced an endurance race marked by ups and downs, ultimately reaching the finish thirteenth in class.

Thompson, who qualified third but started second due to a competitor’s penalty, showcased skill and pace, taking the class lead on the opening lap and maintaining it throughout his first stint before handing the car off to Montecalvo. Despite mid-race setbacks, including a drive-through penalty and car damage, the team remained resolute, battling to stay in contention at the front end of the GTD field.
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Reflecting on the race, Thompson remarked, “The 12 car just needs a little luck. When I look back at this weekend, we did everything right. Unfortunately, the race didn’t fall our way.” He emphasized the team’s perseverance, stating, “We don’t give up, and that was true throughout the race. We kept digging all the way to the end, and I’m proud of us for not giving up.”

Thompson led the No. 12 squad, marking the fastest Lexus RC F GT3 lap and single-handedly piloting the wounded car through the final 3.5 hours. A challenging conclusion saw a collision with a back marker take them out of contention for a top-five finish. Thompson expressed confidence in the team moving forward, “We’re about to start the sprint season, and I’ve never been more confident in this group. They believe in me, and I believe in them. Our program continues to shine and was especially evident in the performance of the #14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus Racing USA GTD Pro entry this weekend. Congratulations to them on their win.”

Thompson and full-time season co-driver Montecalvo will continue their campaign in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with the Grand Prix of Long Beach, held from April 19th to 21st. The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring showcased Thompson’s resilience and the team’s unwavering spirit, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

UPCOMING IMSA WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach – April 20
Motul Course de Monterey – May 12
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix – June 1
Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen – June 23
Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park – July 14
IMSA Sportscar Weekend at Road America – August 4
Michelin GT Challenge at VIR – August 25
Tirerack.com Battle on the Bricks at IMS – September 22
Motul Petit Le Mans – October 12

For more details and broadcast information, visit imsa.com.