LEXINGTON, Ohio (May 17, 2021) – The Vasser Sullivan No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 earned a second-place podium finish in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday afternoon. Ohio native Zach Veach and Frankie Montecalvo teamed up to give Vasser Sullivan and Lexus their first podium of the season and the third straight top-two podium finish at the Ohio road course.

Montecalvo started the race fourth in the GTD class, and the driver duo made up two spots during the two hour and 40 minute sprint race to give Veach his first career IMSA podium finish in just his third series start.

The No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 looked to be the dominant car on Sunday afternoon however a rear suspension failure ended the team’s day early. Aaron Telitz led all 33 laps of the first stint after starting from the pole position before turning the driving duties over to Jack Hawksworth, who was able to regain the lead. Just two laps later the No. 14 was forced to the garage. Hawksworth returned to the track and the No. 14 finished 13th.

Lexus entered the day having won three consecutive races at Mid-Ohio, including back-to-back wins by the No. 14 Lexus and Hawksworth. Telitz was also a part of the 2020 victory with Hawksworth.

Lexus and Vasser Sullivan Racing return to the track at Detroit’s Raceway at Belle Isle Park on Saturday, June 12. Follow the Lexus Racing action all season on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using #LexusRCF GT3, #LexusPerformance and #LexusRacing.

Vasser Sullivan Driver Quotes
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What happened to the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 that took you out of contention today?
“It’s really disappointing that we’ve had a failure for the second time in three races. Coming into the race, we topped every practice session and the Lexus RC F GT3 was one of the quickest cars of the weekend. We were dominating the race and had a great shot at the win and unfortunately the rear suspension failed and sent us to the garage. I’m gutted, but we’ll get them back at Detroit.”

AARON TELITZ, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How disappointing is today’s finish after having a strong Lexus RC F GT3 all weekend?
“Pretty tough day here at Mid-Ohio. Qualifying on pole and leading every lap of my stint before handing the car off to Jack (Hawksworth) and he had a big lead with the car and unfortunately we had a failure. It really hurts. This is such a strong track for us and to not be able to make it four in a row is very disappointing. I know we’ll regroup, and we’ll come back and get the wins soon.”

ZACH VEACH, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How does it feel to get your first podium in IMSA in only your third start?
“It feels really nice to get my first podium in IMSA and to do it at my home track on top of that is just really special. The last three years were tough for me, that’s no lie. To come here and have a good result feels so nice. A big thank you to Vasser Sullivan, Lexus and especially Frankie (Montecalvo) for having a hell of a first stint. He gave me the car in a great spot and just held our own from there.”

FRANKIE MONTECALVO, No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3
How excited are you to be on the podium in just the third start of the season with Zach Veach?
“This is a team victory for us. It’s pretty sad for the other guys in the 14 car to be leading and have a failure like that, but we brought the Lexus home on a podium for the team. Zach (Veach) did a phenomenal job. It wasn’t easy out there. I felt like it was harder for me to sit in the pit and watch what he was doing out there than actually driving my first stint. It was great all around and a great day for the Vasser Sullivan team.”