So Close in Detroit: Vasser Sullivan Lexus Fights Hard at the Detroit Grand Prix

It was a race that had podium finishes within reach for both Vasser Sullivan Lexus entries, only for late-race contact on the streets of downtown Detroit to tell a different story. Despite the heartbreaking results, the performance of the two Lexus RC F GT3 machines at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Detroit Grand Prix was a clear reminder of just how competitive the Lexus racing program has become.

Ben Barnicoat launched the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 from third on the grid and ran comfortably among the top three throughout his stint before handing off to Jack Hawksworth. Hawksworth delivered a brilliant drive, battling his way back to second place after being spun by a GTP competitor who was later penalized for the contact. He then made a bold move to take the lead late in the race before a drive-through penalty dropped the No. 14 to a sixth-place finish.

Barnicoat did not mince words afterward: “We deserved to win today. We did everything to win today, and external factors took it away from us. We’ll keep our heads down, keep digging and we’ll try again at Watkins Glen in a couple weeks.”

Hawksworth echoed the sentiment: “It was a mega weekend. We had a really good race car. I tried my best to win the race and we’ll move on and go to Watkins Glen.”

The No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3 told an equally compelling and equally frustrating story. Chaz Mostert, the 2025 Supercars champion making a guest appearance with the Vasser Sullivan squad, started seventh and charged his way to the front of the GTD PRO field, leading for three laps before pitting to hand off to Aaron Telitz. Telitz ran in fourth and was battling for a podium position late in the race when contact from a Corvette sent the No. 15 to the pits with a flat tire, dropping the team to a tenth-place finish from what appeared to be a certain second-place result.

“I can’t believe a flat tire on the last lap took us out of P2,” Mostert said. “I’m gutted for Aaron because he didn’t do anything wrong. The team here is absolutely awesome and I wish them all the luck for the rest of the year.”

Telitz was equally gracious: “It would’ve been a P2, a great result here for the 15 team, Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. Everyone knew we were here. A huge thank you to the team and Lexus. Our RC Fs were really good today.”

The Vasser Sullivan Lexus team heads next to Watkins Glen International in upstate New York for a six-hour endurance race on Sunday, June 28. With the pace both cars showed in Detroit, the team will be a serious contender. Follow @GAZOORacingUSA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to keep up with all the action.

The same spirit of performance and precision that drives the Lexus racing program lives in every vehicle on our showroom floor. Stop by Lexus of Northborough and experience it for yourself.