Swapping Roles, Aaron Telitz Becomes the Team’s Michelin Endurance Cup Driver
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – While Vasser Sullivan is retaining the same three drivers for the team’s Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) entry in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, responsibilities among the trio are shifting slightly for the upcoming season according to a team announcement today.
Parker Thompson, who joined the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 lineup this year for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races, is moving to a full-season driver role in 2024 alongside returning full-timer Frankie Montecalvo. Aaron Telitz, who has been a full-season driver for the team since 2020, becomes the third driver in the No. 12 for Michelin Endurance Cup races in 2024.
Thompson, the 2022 champion in the IMSA-sanctioned Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America series, drove alongside Montecalvo and Telitz for the four endurance races this year, highlighted by the GTD class victory at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in June.
The 25-year-old Canadian appreciates the opportunity to move into a full-season role in ’24.
“After a decade of grinding my way up the ladder, it is a dream come true to earn a full-time position in this world-renowned sports car championship with such an esteemed team,” Thompson said. “The opportunity to continue to represent Vasser Sullivan and Lexus is something I don’t take lightly. I’m hungrier than ever to build off the success we had last year, especially when I get to drive with a stud like Frankie Montecalvo all season long. It’s also fantastic to have proven winner Aaron Telitz join us for the endurance rounds and keep the continuity that led to the team’s successful finish in 2023.”
Montecalvo and Telitz finished third in this season’s GTD standings, adding a third-place finish in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach to the win at Watkins Glen. Telitz has five career WeatherTech Championship victories, the first four coming when he paired with Jack Hawksworth in Vasser Sullivan’s No. 14 Lexus in 2020 and ’21.
“Big thanks to (team principals) Jimmy (Vasser), Sulli (James Sullivan) and Lexus for the opportunity to continue with the team and brand that got me into sports car racing,” Telitz said. “I’m ready to go on full attack in the five endurance races with Parker and Frankie. It is now more important than ever to be strong in the endurance races, as they make up half the season. The No. 12 Lexus will be a force in the GTD ranks in 2024 and I can’t wait to get going.”
In a joint statement, Vasser and Sullivan emphasized the importance of driver lineup continuity as they set their eyes on the goal of a class title.
“We are competing for championships, and Parker, Frankie and Aaron will co-drive the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus in our fight for the 2024 IMSA GTD class championship,” the statement read. “Consistency is the nucleus of our GTD championship bid, and we’ve got that here with these drivers who are all winners.”
The 2024 WeatherTech Championship season opens with the world-famous Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 27-28, preceded by the Roar Before the Rolex 24 from Jan. 19-21. Tickets for the events may be purchased at daytonainternationalspeedway.com.