Late twist denies Detroit podium

Aftter qualifying the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 in P3, a return to the Detroit GP podium lookde set for Ben Barnicoat and his Vasser Sullivan teammate Jack Hawksworth, but the hunt for IMSA silverware contunes. A lightening start and strong race pace were denied a podium finish on the streets of Detroit, when a late penalty snatched a deserved result away in the final minutes. The choatic end to the action-packed battle eventully saw the pair recover to take P6 as the flag dropped.

Ben returned to the Michigan circuit with a focus on returning a strong result, having claimed victory in 2022 and runner up in 2024. In a switch up to the season to-date, Ben took onqualifying duties around the tight and unforgiving street circuit, delivering a proven race-winners’ performance. He continued to improve across the session, and a last-minute run secured a second-row gridslot, in P3.

With overtaking opportunities at a premium, Ben wasted no time and showed his intentions from the moment the flag dropped. A well-timed move into the hairpin as the Corvette ran off line allowed him to climb into P2. From here, Ben set about maintaining the gap to the leader before an early Full Course Yellow caution brought the action under control. On the restart, Ben showed his experience to hold position, while pushing hard to keep the pressure on the leader, and as the race neared the midpoint, he brought his stint to a close, still holding P2.

With Jack installed, and the Lexus fully serviced and back out, the crew continued to run strongly and battled hard to stay close to the leader. The relentless action continued across the stint, defending hard before a further caution period brought things under control once again. As the track returned to green, with the field closely bunched together, a drivethrough penalty was handed to the #14 following contact. Despite dropping down the order, the fight continued for the final few laps, and further incidents would allow Jack to recover a handful of positions. The #14 eventually crossed the line in P6.

Commenting after the chequered flag fell, wrapping up a weekend of what might have been, Ben explained :

“Well, that was an eventful day in Detroit. We had a great race going. Obviously, we had a really fantastic start. I was able to jump the Corvette early and get into second. They set the pace today and I couldn’t quite hang with the No. 3 car, but we were looking good going around in P2. Jack got in during the stops and did a great move to get us back to P2 and he fought really hard. I thought he did an excellent move to get past the 3 car, and I then think it’s controversial what happened from there. I’d tell Jack to do the same thing again next time. That’s why he’s the best driver in IMSA and I’m very lucky to race with him.

“I’m really disappointed for everyone at Vasser Sullivan and Lexus. We did everything to win today, and deserved the result,but external factors took it away from us. We’ll keep our heads down, keep digging and we’ll try again at Watkins Glen in a couple weeks.”

Ben returns to IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship action later in June as Watkins Glen International plays host to the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, 26-26 June.