LONG BEACH — Jim Liaw did not expect to be taking the lead so soon, but he’s here and he’s getting a lot of help.

Liaw, who stepped into the role as Grand Prix Association president and CEO following Jim Michaelian’s death last month at the age of 83, remembered his mentor during Thursday’s media day for the 51st annual Grand Prix of Long Beach.

“It’s definitely not easy shoes to fill, but we’re going to do our best to continue and enhance and evolve,” Liaw said. “This year is 51 years and we have to think about, you know, what the next 50 years is going to look like.”

Liaw was slated to lead the organization starting July 1, but has hit the ground running with the assistance of so many in Long Beach.

“The plan was to work alongside Jim, shadow him and absorb as much of his wealth of experience and knowledge as possible,” Liaw said. “But unfortunately with his passing, I had to take the wheel a lot sooner than I had planned.”

Liaw was brought on in February and traveled with Michaelian last month to IndyCar’s race in Arlington, Texas.

“It’s been surprisingly OK because I already know the lay of the land, and a lot of the key players and entities involved,” Liaw said. “It’s quite a big event and the sheer size and scale can make you anxious to take that on, but all the partners are playing their part and even offering additional support.”

Previously the general manager of Performance Racing Industry, an organization that supports and advocates for races, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies and businesses, Liaw said the role with the Grand Prix Association was a responsibility to Michaelian as much as an opportunity.

“When the person who helped open lots of doors asks you if you want to be considered for the job, you don’t answer with ‘Yes,’” Liaw said. “You answer with, ‘When do I start?’”

PRI hosts the United States’ largest motorsports trade show every year in Indianapolis, and Liaw leveraged his experience to create Formula Drift, the world’s premier drifting series in 2021.

“There is kind of a gut feel of what fans want,” Liaw said. “We want to know where the market is going, but I think the access to data is going to be really valuable going forward.”

QUALIFYING RULES CHANGE

Qualifying for this weekend’s race might look a little different.

IndyCar announced Tuesday an expansion of its Fast Six single-car qualifying, including an updated format, for the remaining four street circuit events of the season beginning with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Single-car, single-lap qualifying runs in the Fast Six debuted March 14 at Arlington. A format using Segments 1 and 2, which narrowed the field, was introduced. This week’s change to the rules allows teams the choice of Fast Six ordering based on Segment 2 results. Now, once that qualifying order is determined, teams will make their tire selection – primary or alternate tires – prior to lining up.

The move to single-car Fast Six qualifying is designed to create a spotlight on teams and drivers competing for the top positions on the starting grid.

SERIES NAMES NEW VP

Mike O’Gara is stepping into the most impactful role of his career.

The longtime motorsports executive and former race team engineer was named IndyCar’s new vice president of competition, race engineering on Wednesday.

The senior technical authority for IndyCar, O’Gara will lead all aspects of vehicle performance strategy, race engineering and technical governance across the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT, and is in charge of the development of next-generation technologies, including the new 2028 IndyCar.

A native of Indiana, O’Gara, 54, has more than 30 years of experience leading championship-winning programs across IndyCar, IMSA and the World Endurance Championship, including the past 12 years as an executive at Chip Ganassi Racing. During that time, O’Gara’s Cadillac team won the 12 Hours of Sebring (2014), the Rolex 24 At Daytona (2015) and a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2016).