IMSA has confirmed a grid of 27 entries split into 10 GTPs and 17 GTDs for the shortest race of the 2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship around the Long Beach street circuit.
The third round of the 2024 schedule, respectively named the Grand Prix of Long Beach, will host a 1-hour and 40-minute sprint round around the street circuit.
Each of the 27 entries will have a crew of two drivers who will fight for their respective class victories on 20 April.
Unsurprisingly, the #66 Lamborghini Iron Lynx SC63 will be absent until the Six Hours of the Glen as they will only compete in the Endurance Cup rounds which leaving the remaining 10 GTPs to run the full-season.
Proton Competition has yet to confirm who will join Gianmaria Bruni due to full-season driver Neel Jani, and Julien Andlauer who was enlisted last time at Sebring, are both entering the clashing WEC 6 Hours of Imola for Proton.
The pre-event championship standings show that the #7 Porsche Penske 963 and the #40 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 are tied on 706 points for the lead.
Drivers Dane Cameron and Felipe Nasr are looking to seek a second win and after they triumphed at the 24 Hours of Daytona season-opener, in which they claimed victory with the help of Endurance Cup driver Matt Campbell and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden.
Most crucially, they will want to finish ahead of rivals Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz who are equally looking to do the same with the confidence that both Acuras qualified on the front row last year.
Unlike last year’s running, the GTD Pro category will not feature in this year’s race which has led to Vasser Sullivan entering their other Lexus RC F GT3 into this race.
Gradient Racing has also adjusted their driver lineup with Stevan McAleer taking Katherine Legge’s place as one of their full-season drivers due to her commitments with the Indianapolis 500.
See here for the full entry list ahead of the Grand Prix of Long Beach on 20 April.
