The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is set to launch its sprint season with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, a highly anticipated street race held on the tight and technical Long Beach Street Course in California. Scheduled for April 18, 2026, this 100-minute race marks one of the shortest events in the IMSA calendar but promises intense competition between 28 entries across the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) and Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) classes.
The race features a strong field with notable changes among the teams and drivers. In the GTP class, Frederik Vesti will partner Jack Aitken in the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, replacing Earl Bamber for this non-endurance event. Laurin Heinrich, who has secured victories earlier this season, moves to the No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963 alongside Tijmen van der Helm. This will be Heinrich’s debut on the Long Beach street circuit.
The GTD class also sees several updates. Robert Wickens returns to drive the No. 36 DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R alongside Mason Filippi. Wickens aims to secure his first GTD podium at Long Beach, driving a car equipped with a special Bosch electronic hand control system. Corey Lewis makes his first sprint race start with Gradient Racing’s No. 66 Ford Mustang GT3, teamed with Jake Walker. Additionally, Spencer Pumpelly replaces Tom Gamble in the No. 27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo alongside Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello.
Several teams are entering extra cars for this event, including AO Racing’s No. 177 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) driven by Harry King and Mikkel Pedersen, aiming to repeat their 2025 victory. Vasser Sullivan Racing returns with their winning No. 89 Lexus RC F GT3 piloted by Jack Hawksworth and Frankie Montecalvo. Pfaff Motorsports adds a new entry with Andrea Caldarelli and Zachary Vanier driving the Lamborghini Temerario GT3, which recently debuted at Sebring.
Acura’s presence is especially significant at Long Beach due to its proximity to Honda Racing Corporation USA headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian will be competing with strong local support. Historically, Acura and Honda have enjoyed success here with multiple class wins in past years.
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 7 Porsche 963 remains a favorite after winning two season-opening races and having strong performances at Long Beach in previous years. Felipe Nasr returns seeking a third consecutive season-opening victory alongside debutant Julien Andlauer.
The event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports and Peacock, with qualifying streamed on April 17th. IMSA fans can expect an exciting mix of sprint racing action on one of North America’s most challenging street circuits, featuring fierce competition from some of the world’s best sports car manufacturers and drivers.
