LONG BEACH — As a new father, Alexander Rossi says his induction into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame has a deeper meaning.
The two-time winner of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach took his place on the Walk on Thursday while the city also recognized the recent deaths of two of the event’s biggest behind-the-scenes contributors.
“This is something that’s going to be here forever,” said Rossi, who won in Long Beach in 2018 and 2019. “I think when you’re in your career you don’t really get a chance to actually reflect on things you’ve done, but I’ve been fortunate to be a part of this race and accomplish so much.”
Rossi was inducted alongside former two-term Long Beach mayor Bob Foster, the city’s first leader to experience a ride-along in a two-seat IndyCar.
“Being able to bring your family to honor a father’s accomplishments, being a new dad, that resonates with me pretty closely,” Rossi said. “These moments certainly remind you of that.”
Foster’s son, Kenny, accepted the honor on behalf of his father, who died Nov. 30 at the age of 78.
“He loved everything about this weekend,” Kenny Foster said. “He loved the cars and loved the speed. He wasn’t a big fan of the noise, but he loved having IndyCar come to his city.”
Both honorees recognized Jim Michaelian, one of the race’s co-founders and the event’s president and CEO from 2001 until his death March 21 at the age of 83.
“He was such an amazing supporter of every one of us as drivers,” Rossi said. “The success of what this event is now wouldn’t exist without him (and) how the entire city has always embraced this series and all of us.
“Being from California, this place is right up there (with Indianapolis) in terms of fondness and the memories that I have of being able to have success here and be a part of history on the series,” Rossi said.
Added Kenny Foster: “There’s still a bunch of photos online of my dad and Jim laughing at different races over the years. They used to have so much fun. I think that’s pretty cool.”
Michaelian served on the Grand Prix Association’s board of directors for 51 years, spearheading the event into becoming a worldwide racing destination.
“When you look at what this race means, outside the Indianapolis 500, and this is the flagship event of IndyCar,” Rossi. “You don’t have to poll the paddock to know that the response will be that this is our favorite race (and) our favorite street circuit that we get the chance to compete on.”
Michaelian was a sports car racer for more than 25 years, competing at Le Mans, Daytona, Nürburgring and Watkins Glen, among others.