Photo Credits: Sideline Sports Photogrpahy
Vasser Sullivan Racing ended a two-year, 22-race winless streak in IMSA's GTD class at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, with Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen driving the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 to victory. The win carried added significance as team co-owner Jimmy Vasser marked the 30th anniversary of his own Long Beach Indy car win.
The No. 36 DXDT Racing Corvette, driven by Robert Wickens, dominated early and built a comfortable lead, but a mid-race caution reshuffled the order. On the restart, Telitz made a decisive pass on Mason Filippi through Turns 6-8, taking advantage of the Lexus's strong tire warm-up on restarts. Filippi subsequently lost several more positions after contact with a GTP car and a barrier.
Telitz won by over five seconds ahead of Robby Foley in the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW. Albert Costa and Manny Franco completed the podium in third. In the championship, Eduardo Barrichello holds a 54-point lead over Foley and Gallagher. The series continues at Laguna Seca on May 3.
