IMSA has confirmed that the next Long Beach Grand Prix, which is part of the 2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will feature a grid of 27 participants. These entries will be divided into 10 GTPs and 17 GTDs. The race, which is the shortest of the season, will take place on the Long Beach street circuit. It will be a 1 hour and 40-minute sprint round.
Each of the 27 entries will be led by a team of two drivers competing for victories in their respective classes. The race is scheduled for April 20.
A notable absence on the grid will be the Lamborghini Iron Lynx SC63 #66, which will only participate in the Endurance Cup rounds starting from the Six Hours of Glen. This leaves the remaining 10 GTPs to compete throughout the season.
Proton Competition has not yet confirmed the driver who will join Gianmaria Bruni. This is due to a scheduling conflict between the full-season driver, Neel Jani, and Julien Andlauer, who will be participating in the WEC 6 Hours of Imola for Proton.
The current championship standings show that the Porsche Penske #7 and the Acura ARX-06 from WTRAndretti #40 are tied for the lead with 706 points. Drivers Dane Cameron and Felipe Nasr, who won the season opener at the Daytona 24 Hours, will be seeking a second victory. They will be supported by Endurance Cup driver Matt Campbell and the current winner of the Indianapolis 500, Josef Newgarden.
It will be crucial for Cameron and Nasr to finish ahead of their rivals Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz, who are also vying for victory. Both Acuras qualified on the front row in last year’s race, boosting their confidence.
Unlike last year, the GTD Pro category will not be featured in this year’s race. This led Vasser Sullivan to enter their other Lexus RC F GT3 in the competition. Gradient Racing also made adjustments to their driver lineup, with Stevan McAleer replacing Katherine Legge as one of their full-season drivers, as Legge has commitments to the Indianapolis 500.
For the full list of participants in the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 20, click here.
