{"id":146421,"date":"2026-02-06T19:34:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/146421\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T19:34:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:34:07","slug":"more-than-a-race-st-pete-prepares-for-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/146421\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018More than a race:\u2019 St. Pete prepares for Grand Prix"},"content":{"rendered":"

Race organizers, construction crews, city staff and local businesses are already preparing for a historic Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n

The race-turned-four-day festival annually provides an influx of cash and positive exposure, and stakeholders should see more of both this year. For the first time in its history, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will battle on a street course between NTT IndyCar Series action.<\/p>\n

The 2025 race\u2019s Sunday finale<\/a> attracted an estimated 165,000 people to the downtown waterfront. Grand Prix organizer Green-Savoree Racing<\/a>, which doesn\u2019t release attendance numbers, told the Catalyst that this year\u2019s event could set a new record after a \u201cFirst Block\u201d track-build event Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than a race these days,\u201d said CEO Kim Green. \u201cIt\u2019s a big gathering, a big weekend where everybody comes and enjoys the festivities. It\u2019s built up to be one of the best races \u2013 certainly, one of the best IndyCar races \u2013 in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 22nd annual running<\/a> kicks off Thursday, Feb. 26, with community events and culminates Sunday, March 1, with IndyCar\u2019s season-opening race. North America\u2019s premier open-wheel auto racing series selected St. Petersburg to host its launch party for the 16th time.<\/p>\n

Veteran Formula 1 racer Mick Schumacher, son of motorsports legend Michael Schumacher, will make his IndyCar debut in St. Petersburg. Record-setting driver Will Power, who has secured an incredible nine pole positions at the Grand Prix, will also cement his switch from Team Penske to Andretti Global.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be exciting,\u201d Green said. \u201cThose guys haven\u2019t raced since September.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A temporary yacht club will offer views of the downtown skyline.<\/p>\n

What many stakeholders call a postcard for St. Petersburg will again reach over 200 countries. Fox, known for its NASCAR coverage, is now in its second year of broadcasting the IndyCar Series.<\/p>\n

The 2026 Grand Prix will, for the first time, have a nationally broadcast race on a Saturday. Fox will cover the NASCAR Truck Series live.<\/p>\n

Kevin Savoree, co-owner of Green-Savoree Racing, noted that \u201crubbing is racing\u201d is a common motorsports phrase. \u201cAnd let me tell you, they are going to live up to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he and Green heard the Grand Prix could feature the first street race for NASCAR trucks, their response was \u201csomewhere between \u2018that\u2019s a great idea\u2019 and \u2018hell yeah,\u2019\u201d Savoree said.<\/p>\n

However, the Grand Prix\u2019s impact extends<\/a> far beyond racing. A previous Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VSPC) study found that the event generates an economic impact of over $60 million and more than 15,000 overnight stays.<\/p>\n

An annual 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track, held Thursday, Feb. 26, has raised $423,265 for the Police Athletic League since 2017. The free IndyCar Party in the Park, which offers fans the opportunity to receive up-close views of race cars and driver autographs, is from 4 to 7 p.m. that day at North Straub Park.<\/p>\n

Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce<\/a>, said residents know that spring is upon the city when construction crews begin building grandstands along Albert Whitted Airport\u2019s runway, a temporary yacht club with views of the downtown skyline and a 1.8-mile street course.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust think about all the folks that come in here, they spend their money in our community and those cash registers ring,\u201d Steinocher said. \u201cAnd those aren\u2019t even the race fans yet \u2013 those are people building this race track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Approximately 300 people will build the track in 25 days. The job took 75 days when the Grand Prix began in 2004. \u201cThe city has changed so much in 20 years that we need to get out of the way,\u201d Savoree said.<\/p>\n

Brian Lowack, CEO of VSPC<\/a>, noted that fans will \u201cpack\u201d streets, businesses and hotels. \u201cBut in addition to that, we\u2019re going to get millions and millions of eyeballs from around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brian Lowack, CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, noted that millions of people will watch Fox\u2019s broadcast of two races this year.<\/p>\n

Lowack said the downtown waterfront provides an ideal \u201cfirst impression\u201d for potential visitors who are tuning in to watch IndyCars, which top 200 mph, speed through city streets. He added that bed tax revenue from the Grand Prix and similar events support capital projects, like the nearby Dali Museum\u2019s expansion, and \u201csaved every single household here in Pinellas County about $2,000\u201d last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, it\u2019s incredibly important,\u201d Lowack said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we do this \u2013 that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mayor Ken Welch saw a Grand Prix commercial during a recent playoff game. \u201cThat\u2019s the kind of worldwide recognition we get from this race,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe worldwide broadcast of our waterfront in March, when the weather is even better than today, is invaluable in terms of marketing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The 22nd Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg also marks the 16th time the city has hosted an opening event for the NTT IndyCar Series.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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