It was just 11 days ago when I sat in the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach office at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Spring Street.
I had joined Press-Telegram editors and staffers for our annual meeting with Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, to discuss his plans for the upcoming street race.
He was excited about the race he has loved for 50 years, describing in detail everything surrounding this year’s extravaganza, which will take place from April 17 to 19. It would be his last time overseeing the race, as he was moving on to another job with Penske Entertainment, the current owner of the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Also sitting in the meeting was Jim Liaw, who would be stepping into the CEO job after years of working with Michaelian, who had recommended him as his successor.
I joked and called them “Old Jim” and “Young Jim.” The younger version laughed. But the 83-year-old, still-robust version rolled his eyes.
Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association, left, gets a hug from this year’s Allen Wolfe Spirit Award recipient Rich Archbold on Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024, in the Grand Prix of Long Beach media center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association, left, presents the Allen Wolfe Spirit Award to columnist Rich Archbold on Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024, in the Grand Prix of Long Beach media center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association, left, presents the Allen Wolfe Spirit Award to columnist Rich Archbold on Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024, in the Grand Prix of Long Beach media center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association, left, congratulates columnist Rich Archbold as the recipient of this year’s Allen Wolfe Spirit Award on Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024, in the Grand Prix of Long Beach media center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Longtime volunteer Ed Klotz, center, is announced as this year’s Allen Wolfe Spirit Award recipient on Saturday Apr. 15, 2023, at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach media center. Making the announcement are Press-Telegram columnist Rich Archbold, left, and Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association, left, gets a hug from this year’s Allen Wolfe Spirit Award recipient Rich Archbold on Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024, in the Grand Prix of Long Beach media center. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
When the meeting ended, Michaelian patted me on the back and said he was looking forward to reading my next columns.
It would be our last meeting. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the 51st iteration of the prestigious street race, will happen next month — but without its longtime leader at the helm.
When word got out on Saturday, March 21, that Michaelian had died suddenly, I was stunned, as was the rest of the Long Beach community and the racing world. Accolades poured in from everywhere.
Chris Pook, who created the Grand Prix in 1975 and hired Michaelian as his young financial officer, told me that the announcement of Michaelian’s death was “like getting hit by a 2×4, totally unexpected..
“Over the past 18 hours,” Pook said on Sunday, “I have been reflecting on just how lucky we were to have Jim show up for that Coastal Commission hearing in June of 1975!”
Pook described the different jobs Michaelian held as outstanding, until he took over as president and CEO when Pook left for a racing job in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Jim will be sorely missed,” Pook said, “but in true ‘Jim-like’ fashion, he has put together a stellar operating team.”
Al Unser, Jr., a hall-of-fame race driver who won two Indianapolis 500 races and six Grand Prix of Long Beach races (the most in Long Beach history), said in a text: “Jim gave his heart to the race. No matter who owned the race, they chose Jim to run it. I will love him forever.”
I met Michaelian at my first Grand Prix race in 1979. From that moment onward, he was always accessible about the race and its development. And, despite the tremendous growth and popularity of the race, he always remained a most modest and humble man.
Here’s an example: Doug Krikorian, former sports columnist for the Press-Telegram and also a friend of Michaelian’s, referred to the Grand Prix leader in a column in 2023 as the Cal Ripken of motorsports. Michaelian got upset at the comparison.
“Whatta you talking about,” Michaelian told Krikorian. “That streak of Ripken’s went 17 years without his missing a game (2,632) for the Baltimore Orioles.”
“Yes,” Krikorian responded, “but you haven’t missed a Grand Prix in 48 years.”
Michaelian scoffed, minimizing his amazing longevity with the Grand Prix.
Michaelian had long been known as a workaholic, to the point that Krikorian dubbed him the Energizer Bunny “because of his inexhaustible spirit and energy.”
Michaelian also had a wry sense of humor. When I wished him a happy birthday in 2020, for example, he emailed me this note: “I just hope that you won’t have to spend any time soon doing what you seem to being all too often – writing obituaries of people in town.”
Another time he congratulated me when I received a distinguished journalist award.
“Like me,,” he said, “I know you do your job because you love it, but it is always good to have others extol your efforts.”
“Even with your exalted recognition,” Michaelian added, “I assume that you will still be accessible for Grand Prix stories.”
Michaelian didn’t always appreciate it when I would bring up his penchant for speeding on city streets, resulting in dozens of tickets.
“That was all some time ago,” he would say. “I always had a passion for speed, even as a youngster. I got some hot rods and driving around Southern California. I got my fair share of tickets.”
Michaelian also had a heart of gold.
He worked with King Taco, which has donated 1,000 tickets so kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach could attend the race each Sunday for decades.
“That’s what it’s all about, helping others like these kids,” he told me. “You should be writing about that.”
He was right — and I did.
Michaelian also showed his compassion to me when I was diagnosed with melanoma cancer on the side of my head.
It was about the same time I received a Key to the City from then Mayor Robert Garcia, now a member of Congress.
“I’m not sure where that key gets you, but you deserve it nevertheless,” Michaelian wrote to me. “I’m also praying that you will emerge victorious in your battle with cancer.”
Michaelian had his own battle with cancer more than 20 years ago — and lost his left eye to the disease. (The cause of his death has not been released and the Michaelian family has requested privacy.)
Michaelian gave me the surprise of my life two years ago when it was time to pass out the Allen Wolfe Spirit Award to a person who has made a significant contribution to the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Every year for the previous 24 years, I had passed out the award with Michaelian. The coveted award was named after Wolfe, the Press-Telegram’s late, legendary auto racing writer, who Michaelian called “a giant in the field of auto racing reporting.”
Unfortunately, one week before the 1999 race, Wolfe’s heart gave out and he died at 51 years old.
In Wolfe’s honor, the Press-Telegram and Michaelian created the Allen Wolfe Spirit of the Grand Prix Award. Michaelian and his staff would select a recipient each year but would keep it a surprise until the award presentation. Michaelian would give me advance notice. But in 2024, there was something different. Michaelian always found excuses about why an award recipient had not been selected yet.
At the press conference to announce the recipient, I patiently stood next to Michaelian, eagerly waiting to hear who that year’s recipient was.
“And this year’s recipient, whose ongoing efforts reflect Allen’s enthusiasm and professionalism for the Grand Prix,” Michaelian said, “is the man standing next to me, Rich Archbold.”
I threw up my arms in astonishment. Michaelian gave me a big hug with a wide smile on his face.
“Hey, you deserve it,” he said. “Allen would approve.”
That was Jim Michaelian. Always thinking of other people.
Like so many other people, I will miss him – his smile, his humor, his modesty, his expertise and his compassion.
Goodbye, Jim.