RC F GT3s Return to Race Track Following Double Podium Sweep at Daytona

Sebring, Florida – Lexus and AIM VASSER SULLIVAN (AVS) have momentum on their side leading into the newly-scheduled IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Grand Prix of Sebring sprint race at Sebring International Raceway on Saturday evening. The AVS Lexus RC F GT3s are coming off a one-two GTD podium finish following IMSA’s return to racing in a sprint race at Daytona International Speedway on the Fourth of July.

Jack Hawksworth and Aaron Telitz combined to lead 81 laps (of 87) behind the wheel of the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 to score the GTD win at Daytona, marking the third victory for AVS since joining series competition last year. AVS teammates Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo finished runner-up in the No. 12 Lexus at Daytona to sweep the top two steps of the GTD podium and give AVS and Lexus the second double podium result after finishing first and third at Detroit last year.

Lexus is tied for the lead in the GTD manufacturer point standings following two races. The No. 14 Lexus leads the GTD championship point standings, while the No. 12 RC F GT3 duo ranks fourth in points – just six points behind their teammates – heading into Saturday’s race at Sebring.

The Lexus RC F GT3 will make its fourth Sebring visit on Saturday, and the first sprint race at the historic 17-turn, 3.74-mile Florida road course. Bell and Montecalvo earned a ninth-place result at the last year’s Twelve Hours of Sebring in the No. 12 Lexus, also paired together at the time with Telitz. Bell has finished on the podium three times at Sebring, including a win in 2012 while competing in the American Le Mans Series. Montecalvo also earned a runner-up podium finish at Sebring in 2011. Hawksworth has had previous success at Sebring in four career starts behind the wheel of the Lexus RC F GT3 at the Florida road course, leading 40 laps and running the quickest GTD lap of the race en route to a fifth place GTD result in 2018.

The IMSA Grand Prix of Sebring will be broadcast live on NBCSN beginning at 5:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 18. The race action will also be live on the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com throughout its entirety for authenticated subscribers. To follow all of the racing action, fans can follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using #LexusRCF GT3, #LexusPerformance and #LexusRacing.

AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Driver Quotes

JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

Are you looking forward to racing at Sebring following your win in the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 at Daytona?

"I am really looking forward to going to Sebring! I love racing at Daytona, but after two races and a bunch of testing, I am more than ready for a new track. Sebring is a lot more technical and a bigger challenge for the drivers, so I am looking forward to it. The Lexus RC F GT3 works well at this track. We’re always very quick in turn 1 and turn 17 – the high-speed corners. We had a good test at the track in February and coming off of a one-two finish at Daytona, I expect both AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Lexus RC F GT3’s to be competitive and we will certainly be trying to pull off another lockout."

AARON TELITZ, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3

How much momentum does the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team have after the win at Daytona?

"I'm ready to get back to work at Sebring this week. Our AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team is on a roll and I know we will all be working to keep this momentum rolling through Sebring. We know it's going to be hot and humid with more chances of thunderstorms, so we'll be ready to make the tough calls and get our Lexus RC F GT3s back in victory lane."

TOWNSEND BELL, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

What is your outlook for the sprint race at Sebring?

“We were able to test at Sebring in February and focused on some issues that caused us to struggle in the 2019 race there. I’m keen to see how much improvement we’ve made, relative to our competition. Our last race at Daytona was a reminder that, if we all do our jobs, this AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team is capable of great things. I love racing at Sebring -- the motocross track of road racing!”

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3

Are you looking forward to the sprint race at Sebring?

“Really happy to finally be back at Sebring. This track should be great for our Lexus RC F GT3. It’s been a long time since I’ve completed in a sprint race there. This track is particularly hard on tires, and during this time of year the track will be extra hot. But, taking what we have learned during the time off and building from momentum after Daytona, our AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team is ready go. “