DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2026) – Lexus and Vasser Sullivan’s RC F GT3s earned a pair of top-10 finishes in the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 finished ninth in the GTD class, while the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 earned the 10th finishing position in GTD PRO once the checkered flag flew after 24 hours.

The No. 12 team started the 24-hour endurance race from the 14th position in the GTD class with Benjamin Pedersen behind the wheel, making his debut with Lexus and Vasser Sullivan. The Danish driver navigated his way through two early caution periods and ran a double stint before handing the No. 12 off to Frankie Montecalvo, who also ran two stints into the early evening before Aaron Telitz took the reins.

Telitz, followed by Esteban Masson, who was making his IMSA debut, drove the No. 12 up through the GTD running order, capitalizing on the variety of pit strategies of the rest of the competitors. The RC F GT3 reached top-five in class late Saturday night before what would become a six-hour, 33-minute caution period early Sunday morning due to unfavorable visibility. The four drivers each piloted the No. 12 Lexus at least one more time through the remainder of the race. Telitz drove the final 90 minutes, leading nine laps ahead of the team’s final pit stop and eventually bringing the No. 12 RC F GT3 home in ninth.

Jack Hawksworth, who was making his 10th Rolex 24 start with Lexus, started the 24-hour race in the 11th position with the No. 14 RC F GT3.  The Lexus factory driver ran the first stint of the race, before Kyle Kirkwood hopped in to take on the next two hours. Ben Barnicoat was next up, driving the early night hours as the trio then shared the No. 14 Lexus from thereon. During the lengthy caution, the No. 14 was able to lead a lap while the other GTD PRO competitors cycled in and out of pit stops.

With just under three-and-a-half hours remaining, Kirkwood brought the No. 14 into the pits, which was lengthened by some small repairs, before a drive-through penalty set them back in the GTD PRO order. The team continued to capitalize on the mistakes of others, eventually finishing 10th at the checkered flag.

Lexus and Vasser Sullivan head to Sebring International Raceway next for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March, 21. To keep up with all the racing action, follow Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok by using #LexusPerformance.

Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How was your race today?
“These 24-hour races never get any easier. That was really, really tough. We knew going into the race that we were going to have to run our own race, try and be clean and stay out of trouble. We did that for most of the race. We had a small issue a few hours before the end that put us a few laps down and at that point we really were just hoping for a caution that never came to put us back on the lead lap. I’m proud of the Vasser Sullivan team because I feel like we came really well prepared with our Lexus RC F GT3, so I’m disappointed we didn’t get the opportunity to get a better result. We’ll use this as a character-building weekend and move on to Sebring.”

BEN BARNICOAT, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How would you assess the race and these last two weeks in Daytona?
“The efforts by the Vasser Sullivan Lexus team these last two weeks was a prime representation of what resiliency a race team can showcase. This race is always a challenge, but that didn’t stop the incredible performance by our whole team and making sure we did a perfect job the whole way. Extremely proud of Jack (Hawksworth) and Kyle (Kirkwood) for not putting a foot wrong the entire way, as well as the No. 14 team. We all did a superb job. It’s a little hard to take in that we did everything right, managing only a 10th-place finish, but that’s racing. Really excited leaving here in such a strong position as a team, and I’ve never felt more confident in a group of people heading to Sebring.”

KYLE KIRKWOOD, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you talk about your experience in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona?
“Another (Rolex) 24 done and dusted. The execution was flawless. I think that was probably the most straightforward race that we’ve had as a group and that just shows the efforts the Vasser Sullivan team has put in over the offseason. Everything went accordingly to what we planned in our heads, but our pace just wasn’t there today.”

AARON TELITZ, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How was the race for you and the No. 12 team?
“A great 24 hours all around by the Vasser Sullivan Lexus team here in Daytona. A top-10 result for the No. 12 team, including running high in the order and even leading some laps, as well as gathering a good amount of championship points heading to Sebring. When it’s not your day, you have to make the most of it, and we certainly did that in this race. Proud of our group.”

BENJAMIN PEDERSEN, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you us through your first race with Lexus and Vasser Sullivan?
“A tremendous team effort by this entire Vasser Sullivan Lexus crew. This was my first race, and Rolex 24, with this group, and everyone fired on all cylinders the best they could. Really proud of everyone’s efforts. Think we did everything we could; really good points for us on the No. 12 team. We’ll take it and move on to Sebring. Gathering points early in the year is vital in this championship and that’s our focus. So, it’s just heads down and focus forward from here!”

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you describe these last 24 hours with the Vasser Sullivan Lexus team?
“The Vasser Sullivan team didn’t step a foot wrong throughout the race. Absolutely no mistakes there. The team did phenomenal; the drivers did phenomenal. It wasn’t our day, but we were able to lead a little bit at the end there with Aaron (Telitz). It didn’t work out strategy wise, but to get a top-10 finish means a great points race for the season. We’ll take it and keep going forward!”

ESTEBAN MASSON, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How was your debut in IMSA and at the Rolex 24?
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to drive a Lexus RC F GT3 with Vasser Sullivan for this race. The team was absolutely amazing. We prepared very well for this race over the last two weeks, and in the race, we had no mistakes and no setbacks. I think we really optimized this race as a team, and just really happy about the job our entire team did here.”