The annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is one of the Tampa Bay region’s biggest – and fastest – sporting events. This weekend, the INDYCAR-led festival of racing returns to the streets of St. Pete, taking over the city’s downtown waterfront Friday-Sunday, February 27-March 1.
Sunday’s 100-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race is the highlight of the weekend, broadcast nationally on FOX. However, the experience is far more than just one race, or even just the races themselves, which take place everyday. A massive swath of downtown St. Pete is blocked off not just for the racing track, but for the full festival grounds, surrounding the track with tons of amazing food and drink vendors, interactive experiences with cars and drivers, games and activities for people of all ages, and front row views of professional drivers flying through the streets and along the waterfront. Tickets range from $30 to $165.
Not that we ever need an excuse to visit St. Pete, but this is one of the best reasons to cross the bridge on the annual calendar. It is truly a spectacle unlike anything else, even for those who don’t follow racing. Just walking through the grounds of the course is worth the price of admission, and honestly, if you don’t particularly care about the actual competition, you don’t even need to bother finding a seat in the bleachers. I’ve spent several happy afternoons on the Horse Soldier Bourbon floating dock that borders the track, where you’re surrounded on three sides by water, have racers zipping by in front of you, and can have an excellent old fashioned mixed for you without missing a second of the fun.
If you’re serious about the driving, Sunday is the day to go. That’s the biggest action, and also the day with the biggest crowds. If you’re just interested in the experience, Friday and Saturday (Friday especially) have cheaper tickets, smaller crowds, and just as much entertainment. No matter which day you go, there is action effectively nonstop from 8 am to 6 pm. Between practice rounds and the more than half a dozen competitive races, there are almost always drivers on the track, and you can be mere yards away just by stepping up to the fence lining the entire track and watching them go by. Whatever time is good for you, you’ll get some of the action.
Uber/Lyft is probably the easiest way to get there, but if you plan to drive, there are parking options that don’t involve endless circling and over-full garages. Pinellas County’s SunRunner, a bus rapid transit option, will drop you off right by the track, with convenient pickup locations near large and sometimes free parking lots. Plus, they’re offering group discounts. Download the Flamingo Fares App, and for just $3, you can bring your whole crew (up to four people) with a Group Pass. Just use the promo code CREW at checkout (expires 3/2).
There is a SunRunner stop on 1st Avenue North right in front of Tropicana Field, which has several huge parking lots with paid parking. My pick: park for free in the grass lot at 3 Daughters Brewing, grab a cheap beer before or after the Grand Prix, and use the SunRunner stop on 1st Avenue North, just a two minute walk from the brewery.
Tickets to the Grand Prix (single-day or multi-day) are available online. Here’s the rundown of events for the weekend, for those looking for a specific race.
