{"id":265551,"date":"2026-04-13T13:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/265551\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T13:34:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:34:17","slug":"grand-prix-of-long-beach-returns-for-51st-year-next-weekend-whittier-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/265551\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Prix of Long Beach returns for 51st year next weekend \u2013 Whittier Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long Beach is getting ready for one of the region\u2019s biggest events, the Grand Prix of Long Beach, which is set to return next weekend for its 51st year.<\/p>\n

The three-day racing extravaganza, which draws nearly 200,000 people to Long Beach\u2019s downtown and waterfront each year, is set to return from Friday to Sunday, April 17-19, offering tons of action for racing superfans and casual viewers alike. This year, however, will miss the presence of longtime Grand Prix leader Jim Michaelian, who died in March, though organizers plan on honoring his life and legacy this weekend.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s Grand Prix, the event\u2019s 50th anniversary, broke attendance records for the third year running, with around 197,000 flocking to Long Beach<\/a> from all over the region to enjoy the golden anniversary.<\/p>\n

Besides those attendance records, the Grand Prix is also a major driver for the region\u2019s economy. The 2024 event, for example, generated nearly $100 million in economic output in Southern California<\/a> \u2014 $58.7 million of which was in Long Beach specifically.<\/p>\n

The marquee Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of the most iconic races in the IndyCar Series. The drivers who zip around the 1.97 mile, 11-turn street circuit through some of Long Beach\u2019s most well-known landmarks \u2014 at speeds up to 180 mph \u2014 widely consider it the second-most prestigious race, behind only the Indianapolis 500.<\/p>\n

This year, for the first time, the Long Beach race will be the fifth in the IndyCar season \u2014 straying away from its traditional spot as the third stop on the circuit. That\u2019s because the series added two new stops, at Phoenix International Raceway and in Arlington, Texas, as lead-ins to the iconic Long Beach race.<\/p>\n

The first two races this season were the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Good Ranchers 250 in Arizona. While Spain\u2019s Alex Palou, 29, took the championship in Florida, American Josef Newgarden, 35, reigned in Arizona.<\/p>\n

But at the third race of the IndyCar season, the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, it was Kyle Kirkwood \u2014 the reigning Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach champion \u2014 who took home the trophy.<\/p>\n

\"Kyle<\/p>\n

Kyle Kirkwood leads the pack as he starts the 50th Grand Prix of Long Beach in the pole position in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Kyle Kirkwood won the race, Alex Palou was second and third place went to Christian Lundgaard. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Race<\/p>\n

Race fans watch the 50th Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Kyle Kirkwood won the race, Alex Palos was second and third place went to Christian Lundgaard. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Kyle<\/p>\n

Kyle Kirkwood celebrates his win at the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo by Jayna Kling).\n<\/p>\n

\"Indycar<\/p>\n

Indycar Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood races through the streets of Long Beach during the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Alex Palou during the 50th Grand Prix of Long Beach in the pole position in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Kyle Kirkwood won the race, Alex Palou was second and third place went to Christian Lundgaard. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"IndyCar<\/p>\n

IndyCar winner, Kyle Kirkwood at turn 11 during the early part of the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Justin<\/p>\n

Justin Rothberg rounds the hairpin as he wins the GT America Race durin the Long Beach Grand Prix on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Long Beach, CA.
\n(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Stadium<\/p>\n

Stadium Super Trucks put an exclamation point on the 50th Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday afternoon, Apr. 13, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 8<\/p>\n

Kyle Kirkwood leads the pack as he starts the 50th Grand Prix of Long Beach in the pole position in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Kyle Kirkwood won the race, Alex Palou was second and third place went to Christian Lundgaard. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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Palou, though, came back for another win at the season\u2019s fourth race on March 29, the Children\u2019s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, leaving many fans wondering if the Spaniard will claim his first win in Long Beach this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly excited for the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and building on the energy of last year\u2019s milestone celebration with an event that promises something for every kind of fan,\u201d Jim Liaw, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, said in a Thursday, April 9, statement. \u201cFrom world-class racing on the track to the unmistakable sights and sounds that make this weekend so special \u2014 the roar of the engines, the buzz of the crowds, great live entertainment and nonstop activity throughout the venue \u2014 fans can expect another memorable experience in the heart of Long Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides the titular Sunday afternoon race, this year\u2019s Grand Prix will have plenty of other on- and off-track events to keep attendees entertained all weekend.<\/p>\n

On Friday, practice and qualifying for all races will kick off \u2014 alongside the Super DRIFT Challenge practice and eliminations at 6:30 p.m. The first day of the Grand Prix will also feature a meet-and-greet with IndyCar drivers at 5:15 p.m., and the evening will be capped off with a performance from rapper and singer Lupe Fiasco as the Friday night concert headliner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The singer, whose music includes \u201cSuperstar,\u201d \u201cKick Push,\u201d \u201cThe Show Goes On\u201d and \u201cBattle Scars,\u201d will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the Terrace Theater Plaza. Anyone with tickets to the Grand Prix can attend the show for free.<\/p>\n

Things will really kick off on Saturday, April 18, when the Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks race, led by local favorite Robby Gordon; the Porsche Carrera Cup; and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championships all take place, alongside qualifying races for IndyCar.<\/p>\n

The second day of the Grand Prix will also feature the first day of a doubleheader in the Historic Sports Car Challenge, featuring second-generation sports cars that ran in the Trans-Am Series from the 1970s through 1991, including vehicles from AMC, Audi, Chevrolet, Ford, Jaguar, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Porsche, among others.<\/p>\n

Those historic muscle cars, according to the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, will be driven in two 20-minute races on both Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Grand Prix will also have multiple Olympic and Paralympic athletes, who recently competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy with Team Honda, as grand marshals.<\/p>\n

Grand marshals will include para alpine skier Audrey Crowley, 2026 para snowboarding bronze medalist Brenna Huckaby, 2026 sled hockey gold medalists Brody Roybal and Declan Farmer, 2026 two-time speedskating gold medalist and silver medalist Jordan Stolz, and bobsledder Kaysha Love.<\/p>\n

The grand marshals, according to the GPALB, will help kick off the Sunday race with the iconic call to action: \u201cDrivers, start your engines.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has long embraced the tradition of honoring champions from across the sports world,\u201d Liaw said, \u201cand this year\u2019s Grand Marshal group thrilled audiences around the world with their talent and determination at Milano Cortina 2026 \u2014 we are proud to celebrate their accomplishments here in Long Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also off the track, the Kings of Chaos \u2014 a veritable supergroup of rock icons, including Megadeth\u2019s James LoMenzo on bass and Extreme\u2019s Nuno Bettencourt on guitar \u2014 will headline the Grand Prix\u2019s Saturday evening concert, which will also getting underway at 6:30 p.m. at the Terrace Theater plaza.<\/p>\n

Kings of Chaos was founded by Guns N\u2019 Roses drummer Matt Sorum, and the band is best known for its penchant for bringing on special guests during every performance. This year, the Saturday concert will feature performances from<\/a> LIVE\u2019s lead singer Ed Kowalczyk, 311 frontman Nick Hexum, singer\/songwriter Aloe Blacc and Orianthi, a world-renowned guitarist.<\/p>\n

Another special addition to the Grand Prix this year, a \u201cCARnival\u201d produced and operated by Morning Car Club, will take place on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Kings of Chaos will hit the stage at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Pictured is drummer Matt Sorum who founded the all-star band. The Grand Prix takes place April 17 to 19. (photo courtesy of Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach)\n<\/p>\n

\"All-star<\/p>\n

All-star rock band Kings of Chaos continues the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach party with a live performance on Saturday Apr. 14, 2023, at Terrace Theater Plaza in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Kings of Chaos rocked the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and will return to headline again this year on April 15. (Photo by Chuck Bennett\/Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The wine bar with a wine colored Porsche in the Lifestyle Expo at the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Long<\/p>\n

Long Beach Unified School District STEM students from Lakewood, McBride and Millikan High Schools tour the Lifestyle Expo at the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, Apr. 11, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dyanna<\/p>\n

Dyanna Jimenez tries out the Honda Motocompacto e-scooters at the Lifestyle Expo during the first day of the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 11. (Photo by Victoria Ivie, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

David Sanchez, left, presents a Pato O\u2019Ward fan with her prize at a booth at the Lifestyle Expo during the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 11. (Photo by Anissa Rivera, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A race fan shows his strength at the U.S. Army exhibit in the Lifestyle Expo during the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 8<\/p>\n

The Kings of Chaos will hit the stage at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Pictured is drummer Matt Sorum who founded the all-star band. The Grand Prix takes place April 17 to 19. (photo courtesy of Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach)\n<\/p>\n

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That event will feature a full paddock with a curated lineup of vehicles specifically chosen for their quality, design and presence, the GPALB said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is exactly the kind of high-energy, enthusiast-driven experience that complements our event so well,\u201d Liaw said. \u201cMornings has built something truly special within the automotive community, and their CARnival will add even more excitement, personality and fan engagement to an action-packed weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s always the Lifestyle Expo, which is sponsored by AAA this year \u2014 stocked with more than 100 vendors, from toy car sellers to an In-N-Out truck to a high-tech racing simulator \u2014 for fans to check out at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the Food Truck Village, Family Fun Zone and plenty more for fans to check out over the weekend.<\/p>\n

But besides the usual entertainment and fanfare, this year\u2019s Grand Prix will also pay tribute to the Michaelian, the longtime president and CEO of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Association, who died last month at 83 years old<\/a>. The 51st Grand Prix was set to be Michaelian\u2019s last at the helm of the GPALB before his planned retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Grand<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

\"Acura<\/p>\n

Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian poses for a photograph in Long Beach on Thursday, November 14, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Mario<\/p>\n

Mario Andretti and Jim Michaelian at the 2021 Long Beach Grand Prix. (Doug Gifford\/Courtesy of Grand Prix Association of Long Beach)\n<\/p>\n

\"Jim<\/p>\n

Jim Michaelian, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and CEO visits with former Mayor of Long Beach, Beverly O\u2019Neill in 2006. Michaelian died on Saturday, March 21 before his final time leading the Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo Courtesy Grand Prix Association of Long Beach)\n<\/p>\n

\"\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201d 04-15-10- Grand Prix Association CEO Jim Michaelian and driver Danica Patrick along with her pit crew were on hand to compete in the Pit Stop Competition at the \u201dTecate \u00d2Thunder Thursday on Pine. \u00d3 The event took place on Pine Avenue between First and Fourth streets and was presented by the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), in collaboration with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. It also featured stunt shows, live bands and car show.
\nStephen Carr \/ Press-Telegram\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 5<\/p>\n

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)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Michaelian played a crucial role in making the Grand Prix of Long Beach what it is today. Under his leadership, the Grand Prix became Long Beach\u2019s biggest annual party, enjoyable for everyone from casual fans to hardcore motorsports lovers \u2014 and even the competitors. He also led the event through some challenging times, notably the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

His indelible legacy in Long Beach and motorsports will be memorialized during this year\u2019s Grand Prix, according to the GPALB. A tribute video to Michaelian will be played during the pre-race of the IndyCar competition on Sunday, introduced by GPALB founder Chris Pook.<\/p>\n

In addition, every car racing at the Grand Prix will carry a tribute sticker honoring Michaelian, and Acura intends to have a tribute to him as part of their display in the Lifestyle Expo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Long Beach is getting ready for one of the region\u2019s biggest events, the Grand Prix of Long Beach,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":265536,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[7,131,28942,133,132,137,100],"class_list":["post-265551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-california","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-grand-prix","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-los-angeles-county","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265551"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265551\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/265536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}