IMSA Entry List Released for Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
Long Beach, CA – IMSA has unveiled the entry list for the upcoming Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, scheduled for April 17-18, featuring a competitive field of 28 cars, including 11 entries in the GTP class and 17 in GTD.
A significant shift in the GTP lineup occurs with the introduction of Porsche factory driver Laurin Heinrich in the #5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963, stepping in for Nico Pino. Heinrich, the reigning IMSA GTD Pro champion, has already secured overall victories at both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring this season.
This event marks the Long Beach debut for Heinrich, as well as for Frederik Vesti, who will drive the #31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R, taking over from Earl Bamber due to his commitments with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA at the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola.
In the GTD category, three temporarily entered vehicles from regular GTD Pro teams will compete. Defending Long Beach class champion AO Racing will field a Porsche 911 GT3 R (#177), while Pfaff Motorsports enters a Lamborghini Temerario GT3 (#46). Vasser Sullivan Racing is set to compete with both of its Lexus RC F GT3 cars: the #89 driven by Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo, and the full-season #12 featuring Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pedersen. Jeff Bal, Senior Manager of Lexus Motorsports, emphasized the team’s strong record on this circuit, stating, “We look forward to getting on track with Vasser Sullivan…”
Notably, the #36 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R from DXDT Racing will feature the return of Robert Wickens alongside co-driver Mason Filippi. Callum Ilott will also make his appearance in the #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche after unexpected changes in the IndyCar schedule allowed him to compete.
Additional exciting entries include Spencer Pumpelly substituting for Tom Gamble in the #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, alongside Corey Lewis teaming up with Jake Walker in the #66 Gradient Racing Ford Mustang GT3 Evo.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle as teams prepare to challenge the streets of Long Beach in a highly anticipated event.
For the complete provisional entry list, click here.
