Legendary superstar race driver Mario Andretti said this week that he couldn’t believe it when he heard that his good friend, Jim Michaelian, longtime president and CEO of the Long Beach Grand Prix had passed away.
“I was totally, totally shocked when I got the news that Jim was gone,” Andretti told me by phone from his office In Nazareth, Pennsylvania. “I am still devastated by his loss.”
Racing legend Mario Andretti prepares to take race enthusiasts on a lap around the track at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Andretti has attended every Grand Prix race in Long Beach since it started in 1975. That’s when he also met Michaelian who was starting out with the race as its financial officer.
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Over more than 50 years Andretti and Michaelian developed a strong friendship.
“I had so much respect for that man for what he did for racing and for Long Beach,” Andretti said. “He was The Man.”
Andretti said he was making plans for his 51st visit to Long Beach for this year’s race next month when he heard over television that Michaelian had died at 83.
“Honest to God, I was really, really looking forward to seeing him again,” Andretti, 86, said. “I am suffering and feel so badly for his family. I send them my deepest condolences.”
Mario Andretti waves to the crowd during 50th Anniversary Parade at the Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Andretti said he loves coming to Long Beach. He has had a love affair with Long Beach and vice versa ever since he drove in the first Formula 1 race on the city’s streets in 1975. He has been a driver or a spectator during every year since.
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His early relationship with the city blossomed in 1977 when Andretti, Jody Scheckter of South Africa and Niki Lauda of Austria put on one of the most spectacular driving exhibitions that Formula 1 had ever seen, according to someone who was there, Chris Pook, founder of the Long Beach Grand Prix.
In as exciting a race as you could imagine, Andretti still remembers that race like it was yesterday. “I had a heckuva time behind Schecter for most of the race and Lauda was behind me,” Andretti said. “It was do-or-die time, and I finally was able to pass Schecter.” Andretti held on and won the race, beating Lauda by less than a second.
Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian describes the upcoming 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Thursday, February 20, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The win made Andretti a happy man, but, perhaps, even happier were Pook, Michaelian and city officials who had been counting on the Grand Prix to boost declining development in the city. But the first two years were rough on the Grand Prix financially, and it was on shaky ground until Andretti won.
Related: Jim Michaelian: Long Beach lost a giant; I lost a friend, says Rich Archbold
Michaelian called Andretti’s win in 1977 “the most pivotal race in our history.” He said it was no secret that the race was suffering financial problems.
“But when Mario won, it had the great impact of an American driver winning a Formula 1 race in Long Beach,” he said. “It was a very positive reflection on the city and the event. That really was the race that turned our financial situation around, and we’ve maintained that ever since.”
Andretti has helped out the city many times since then.
Formula One drivers Mario Andretti, left, and Clay Regazzoni of Switzerland lead the field through the streets of Long Beach, Calif., during the early laps of the Long Beach Grand Prix, in this April, 3, 1977, file photo.The city closed its downtown streets for the first time in 1975 to host a street race that became one of the most prestigious events in (AP Photo/File)
One of the most important times came in 1978 when A.N. Pritzker, chairman of Hyatt Hotels, asked Pook if someone could drive him around the track in a pace car. Pook asked Andretti if he would do it and Andretti immediately said yes.
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The drive was supposed to be for only two laps, but Andretti gave Pritzker a ride of four laps.
Pritzker was so impressed he told then City Manager John Dever, “If you have enough spirit and determination to run this race through your streets, I am going to build a Hyatt Regency here, and I would like it to be located on that corner before the race track comes back up the hill to the Pit area.’
That happened and it is in that same Hyatt Regency where Andretti will be staying when he comes to Long Beach next month.
Andretti and his family have had great racing fortunes in Long Beach. After winning the race in 1977, Andretti went on to win the race in 1984, 1985 and 1987. His son, Michael, has also done well here.
In earlier interviews, Andretti said he has “a lot of great thrills and golden memories” in Long Beach. He said one of his favorite things about Long Beach is the ambiance it creates.
Mario Andretti, winner of the 1987 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach waves to the crowds and gets a congratulatory hug from friend and team co-owner Paul Newman in the victory circle following the race at Long Beach, Calif., April 5, 1987. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
“The people of Long Beach are so welcoming,” he said. “Everywhere I go, I hear people calling out to me. It’s almost like feeling I’m part of a family when I come here.”
That family has suffered a great loss with the passing of Jim Michaelian.
Andretti said this race will have somber overtones because of the loss of Michaelian, But he said he will do his best to keep Michaelian’s spirit alive and pay tribute to him when he attends this year’s race and festivities.
“Jim was very close to my heart,” he said. “I miss him so much. I’ll always remember him.”