DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2024) – Lexus and Vasser Sullivan demonstrated remarkable resilience at the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona, yet they finished below their expected positions. Despite securing front row spots, the team faced a series of hurdles that culminated in an 11th-place finish for the No. 14 RC F GT3 in the GTD PRO class, while the No. 12 RC F GT3 concluded the race in 15th.
Initially, the atmosphere was filled with optimism as the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, starting from pole position, remained a serious contender throughout the endurance race. Driver Aaron Telitz, who began the race, highlighted the team's strong start: "Up until the last hour, the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus team did absolutely everything right. From the drivers to the pit crew, the engineers, we were the definition of perfection," said Telitz. He reflected on the collective effort, especially acknowledging teammate Aaron Telitz's contributions towards the end of the race.
Telitz and Parker Thompson shared an impressive drive at the onset, with the duo maintaining the lead for most of the first three hours. As they transitioned to driver Ritomo Miyata, he continued the momentum during his Rolex 24 debut, running within the top rankings. Montecalvo then took over for a double stint as night fell over Daytona International Speedway, helping to keep the pace steady. "It was a tough end to the day today. I feel like we were in the top two spots the entire time. It’s a hard blow to end this way," reported Frankie Montecalvo, reflecting on the race's sudden turn of events.
The team faced a significant setback when they were forced to retire the No. 12 RC F GT3 due to a fire in the pit lane while vying for a podium position. Leading an impressive 146 laps, their strong performance underscored the disappointment of having to retire so close to the finish line.
Meanwhile, the No. 14 RC F GT3 faced its own challenges as they began their title defense. After starting second, driver Ben Barnicoat took the early lead and held it for 40 minutes, but the car faced adversity soon after. "At the first pit stop, Conway hopped in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus for his first stint, but was hit by a spinning competitor on the ensuing restart," reported team officials. This incident necessitated lengthy repairs that put them on the back foot.
Recovering through excellent teamwork, the No. 14 team climbed back into the top ten, showing resilience as they navigated through the night. Despite these efforts, the car ultimately succumbed to overheating issues, leading to an 11th-place finish.
As the team prepares for the next race at Sebring International Raceway on March 16, the focus is on regrouping and building momentum. Fans will be able to watch the 12 Hours of Sebring live on Peacock and the USA Network. "We didn’t have contact until something inadvertent later in the race, which provided some damage. To end like this is a tough one. We had a great run going and had some great points going for us," said Montecalvo, emphasizing the determination of the team to bounce back.
With the next race on the horizon, both drivers and team management are committed to turning this setback into motivation for a better result ahead. The Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 teams aim to leverage their lessons from Daytona to make a strong impression at Sebring. Lexus Racing fans can stay connected through social media platforms by following updates with #LexusPerformance.