IMSA releases 28-car entry list for Long Beach

IMSA has released the entry list for the upcoming Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 17–18, with 11 GTP class entries, and 17 in GTD, for a total of 28 cars.

One noteworthy change in GTP is a one-off drive for Porsche works driver Laurin Heinrich in the No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963. 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 Long Beach, as will Frederik Vesti, driving the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R in place of Earl Bamber. The latter will be honoring 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. Joining the already-announced entries from defending Long Beach class winner AO Racing (No. 177 Porsche 911 GT3 R) and Pfaff Motorsports (No. 46 Lamborghini Temerario GT3) is confirmation that Vasser Sullivan Racing will run its two Lexus RC F GT3s.

The No. 89 Lexus of Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo will line up along with the full-season GTD No. 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 No. 12, along with Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo sharing the No. 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 No. 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.

Heart of Racing Team has completed its driver shuffle between Long Beach and Imola: While Spencer Pumpelly replaces Tom Gamble in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo at Long Beach, young Belgian driver Kobe Pauwels replaces Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello in the No. 23 Aston Martin LMGT3 at Imola.

In addition, Corey Lewis begins his sprint campaign alongside Jake Walker in the No. 66 Gradient Racing Ford Mustang GT3 Evo, and Callum Ilott will drive the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche, ensuring that the British driver will get to race at Long Beach despite the absence of PREMA Racing from the NTT IndyCar Series.

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