Here is a glimpse of Jim Michaelian’s journey with the Grand Prix of Long Beach and other iconic racing events throughout the years. The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach’s longtime president and CEO died Saturday, March 21.
1975: An original employee of the association, a 32-year-old Michaelian joined founder Chris Pook in the vision to bring a motorsports event to Long Beach. He was the event’s first controller, but also served in a number of functional areas, including finance, operations and marketing.
1977: The Grand Prix of Long Beach earned its first relevance when Mario Andretti won the race, the only Formula One victory for an American driver in the U.S.
Jim Michaelian, right, is joined by Chris Pook during his induction ceremony in the Motorsports Walk of Fame at the Long Beach Convention Center on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
1984: The Long Beach street race pivoted to the IndyCar Series.
1992: Michaelian’s first pro race in the 1992 Firestone Firehawk at Sebring, Florida.
1998: Michaelian took on the role of chief operating officer for the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.
2001: Michaelian assumed the role of president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, taking over from Chris Pook.
2015: Michaelian participated in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. He was part of the Muehlner Motorsport team that competed in a Porsche 911 GT American in the GT Daytona class. It marked his 16th appearance on the 3.56-mile road course located inside Daytona International Speedway.
2018: Toyota ended its 44-year partnership with the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Toyota Motor North America had been part of the race since it began.
2019: Acura became the title sponsor for the Grand Prix of Long Beach for the 45th iteration of the street race.
From left, Mayor Rex Richardson and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian speak with members of the media in Long Beach on Thursday, February 26, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Jim Michaelian riding on his scooter around the circuit of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo by Chris Esslinger)
Then-Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian kick off the first full day of construction on the 1.97-mile Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach temporary race circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach.
Long Beach February 17, 2015. (Photo by Brittany Murray / Daily Breeze)
Mayor Bob Foster, right, and Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian share a laugh as they kick off the first full day of LBGP track construction in Long Beach, CA on Tuesday, February 11, 2014.
(Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze)
Grand Prix Association president and CEO Jim Michaelian walks through the crowd on Sunday, Apr. 6, 2025, prior the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach 5K downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Parnelli Jones and Jim Michaelian, President/CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach before the 2018 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Photo: Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG
Grand Prix Association President and CEO Jim Michaelian discusses the history of the Long Beach Grand Prix at a pre-race celebration for the 50th incarnation of the event on Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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From left, Mayor Rex Richardson and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian speak with members of the media in Long Beach on Thursday, February 26, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
2020: The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michaelian guided the association through taking down the track, which was about two-thirds set up when shutdowns occurred in mid-March, and the association had to refund sponsorships and tickets.
2021: The Long Beach street race returned for its 46th iteration in September — its first time taking place outside of April since 1975 — because of pandemic-related challenges.
2022: The Grand Prix returned to its normal April time slot — creating a tight turnaround of about six months.
2024: Penske Entertainment purchased the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach from Forsythe and the late Kalkhoven’s estate.
2025: The Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrated its 50th anniversary. Michaelian was inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame.
2026: Michaelian announced he would retire as president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association. He died weeks later.