A Historic Win for Vasser Sullivan
Thirty years after team co-owner Jimmy Vasser claimed victory in an IndyCar race on the streets of Long Beach, the Vasser Sullivan team once again made history by winning the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship. The win came in dramatic fashion, with the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 driven by Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen securing a five-second lead over the runner-up BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Robby Foley.
The triumph was especially sweet for the team, which had faced a setback earlier in the weekend. A technical infraction related to ride height caused the No. 89 entry to drop from the class pole to last place in the 17-car field. Despite this challenge, the team showed resilience and determination, ultimately coming out on top.
“It’s such a big win,” said Telitz, who dominated the race despite the initial disadvantage. “We’ve had a bit of a drought… It’s been a couple of years since the RC F went back in victory lane, but couldn’t be more proud to do it here at the Grand Prix of Long Beach.”
A Weekend of Missed Opportunities
While Vasser Sullivan celebrated their victory, another team, DXDT Racing, had a weekend filled with what might have been. Drivers Robert Wickens and Mason Filippi finished sixth after a strong start that hinted at greater potential.
Wickens, a former IndyCar driver and paraplegic, made headlines by securing his first pole position in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship. This achievement came after the disqualification of Vasser Sullivan’s Lexus, which opened the door for him to take the outside of the front row. His performance with the DXDT Corvette, equipped with improved hand controls developed by Bosch, surprised many.
“DXDT Racing and Corvette Racing are doing an amazing job,” Wickens said of his qualifying run. “The car is so nice to drive. Hopefully, with a little more experience, I can get a little more from the car and from the hand control system from Bosch. Going into this weekend, if you told me I’d be on the front row, I would have taken it.”
Challenges on the Track
Starting from the pole, Wickens led for his entire stint before pitting at the 36-minute mark of the 100-minute race. After a 17-second pit stop, co-driver Mason Filippi retained first place among those using a traditional one-stop strategy thanks to the six-second lead Wickens had built in class.
However, things quickly turned for Filippi, who was making his debut at Long Beach in the GTD class. As the race progressed, he found himself surrounded by a GTP car and several class competitors, leading to a series of jostles that dropped him down the standings.
Telitz, Foley in the Turner Motorsports entry, and Albert Costa in the Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO all passed Filippi shortly after a restart. By the finish, Filippi and DXDT ended up in sixth place, falling short of their potential.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, both teams demonstrated the spirit and determination that define motorsport. Vasser Sullivan’s victory highlighted their ability to overcome adversity, while DXDT Racing showed promise with Wickens’ impressive performance.
As the season continues, both teams will look to build on these experiences and aim for even greater success in future races. Whether it’s a historic win or a near miss, the excitement and competition in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship remain as thrilling as ever.
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