Short-Fill Propels Vasser Sullivan Racing to GTD Pro Victory at CTMP

A tactical masterstroke on the pit lane proved to be the ultimate key to success for Vasser Sullivan Racing at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The #14 Lexus RC F GT3 secured its second consecutive GTD Pro victory in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, proving that in the high-stakes world of endurance racing, sometimes less is more.

Starting from sixth on the grid for the two-hour and 40-minute Chevrolet Grand Prix, Jack Hawksworth delivered a solid opening stint, carving his way through the field to reach fourth position. However, the race was ultimately decided just 42 minutes in during the first major pit cycle, where strategy outweighed raw speed.

The 46-Second Gamble

In a brilliant strategy call by engineer Geoff Fickling and strategist Dwight Brown, the team opted for a "short-fill" stop, electing not to top off the fuel tank completely. This calculated risk allowed for a lightning-fast service that clocked in at a mere 46.179 seconds, vaulting the Lexus ahead of its rivals on pit lane and gaining crucial track position. While other teams focused on maximizing fuel loads to extend their next stint, Vasser Sullivan prioritized time in the pits, betting that they could manage the fuel window later in the race while capitalizing on immediate track position.

Ben Barnicoat took the wheel and immediately capitalized on the advantage. On the ensuing restart, Barnicoat caught Nikita Johnson in the #59 RLL Team McLaren 720S GT3 Evo off-guard. Executing a decisive pass with precision and aggression, Barnicoat snatched the lead. From that moment, the #14 Lexus dominated the proceedings, pacing the field for 78 of the final 118 laps to take the checkered flag by 1.993 seconds.

"The guys executed a really good pit stop; they were able to get the tires on really fast and get the fuel in, get the probe out, and we beat some cars on pit lane," Hawksworth said. "Ben did a great job to catch the McLaren sleeping there on the restart and controlled the race. Perfect execution."

Breaking the Mosport Curse

The victory carried extra emotional weight for a driver duo that has historically endured brutal luck at the fast Canadian track. After a conservative qualifying strategy left them sixth on the grid, running only one set of tires while rivals used two, starting deeper in the field ironically turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Both drivers joked post-race that starting from the front row had previously cursed their efforts, making their charge from sixth the perfect remedy.

"We’ve had some tough breaks here in the past," Hawksworth admitted. "Sometimes you feel like if you start on pole, something goes wrong. Starting sixth gave us clean air, let Jack do his thing, and then the strategy played out perfectly. It feels like we finally exorcised the ghosts of Mosport."

The hard-fought breakthrough also marked a historic milestone for the manufacturer, registering the 20th IMSA victory for the venerable Lexus RC F GT3 platform. Remarkably, 18 of those triumphs have been delivered by Vasser Sullivan, with Canadian Tire Motorsport Park becoming the ninth different IMSA circuit where the team has tasted victory. This consistency underscores the deep synergy between the Japanese manufacturer and the American team, highlighting a partnership that continues to yield results even as the GT3 landscape evolves.

Chasing the Championship

With four races remaining in the season, the back-to-back victories have vaulted Hawksworth and Barnicoat back into the championship conversation. They now sit just 150 points adrift of Paul Miller Racing’s Connor De Phillippi and Neil Verhagen. With a mere 60 points separating second through sixth place, the stage is set for a frantic final stretch where every podium finish could prove decisive.

Despite the shrinking deficit, the Vasser Sullivan garage isn't looking at the math. Instead, they are focusing on momentum and performance.

"I think the pressure is on everyone else," Barnicoat said. "We had potential from Sebring to win and it’s just never really gone our way. Now everyone’s just been doing the same thing. We’re having a bit of luck, and we’re winning. But it’s not just luck; it’s the team executing under pressure."

Hawksworth echoed his teammate’s thoughts, emphasizing a mindset shift away from points hunting and toward pure performance. "After some tough races, we’re just going for wins. If we keep doing that, the points will take care of themselves. We aren't driving to finish second; we're driving to win. And when you do that, good things happen."

As the IMSA series heads toward its finale, Vasser Sullivan has re-established itself as a formidable force. With their confidence restored and their strategy proven, Hawksworth and Barnicoat will look to carry this momentum into the remaining rounds, aiming to turn their recent resurgence into a championship challenge.