The secret to a close-up, cheap Grand Prix of St. Pete experience

IndyCar racing past the Dalí Museum during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg street circuit event. Credit: Courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater

Tampa’s defining sound is the blast of Gasparilla cannon fire, and now it’s St. Pete’s turn for the annual roar of race cars to echo through the streets. The Sunshine City becomes an international IndyCar track for the Firestone Grand Prix this weekend, thanks to local manpower.

PSTA has special SunRunner bus routes for race fans, with tickets starting at $3, stopping at three different locations within a few blocks of Gate 1 and Gate 5.

Here’s a secret to cheaper tickets and a way to get on the track: Participants in the Grand Prix 5k on Thursday, Feb. 26, get two Friday GA tickets (worth $30 each) with their $40 registration. And they get to run or walk where all the action happens.

Fans going to the Saturday races can keep an eye out for an extremely St. Pete car, the Mazzaro’s sponsored No. 2 Ford. Carter Fartuch will be in its driver’s seat for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race. Or you can see a full-size show truck wrapped in the same Mazzaro’s race-day livery outside the throughout race week.

Tickets start at $30 for the Grand Prix St. Pete, happening Friday-Sunday, Feb. 27-March 1 in downtown St. Petersburg.

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