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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 Over 100,000 people with a need for speed filled downtown St. Petersburg Sunday afternoon for the final lap in the Firestone Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five racers competed in the Grand Prix. Mechanics started several hours earlier, ensuring their team\u2019s vehicle performed at top shape.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe all try to find that extra half second or the extra tenth of a second to get past the next person because it\u2019s a really close field out there,\u201d Hunter Ahrendt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s less than half a second between first and tenth place sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The race runs 1.8 miles through the city, even using a runway of the Albert Whitted Airport for the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis racetrack \u2013 unbelievable,\u201d Kevin Saboree, owner of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, said. \u201cReally great. Three long straightaways, tight corners, a technical section \u2013 the drivers love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers said it has become a popular place among competitors to start the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s been a little bit of a harsh winter up there and so to come down here and have 75-degrees and sunshine. It\u2019s a pretty nice place to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers said the track comes complete with 18,000 feet of fencing, and concrete barriers took them 18 days to build.<\/p>\n
They said after their last photo finish,\u00a0they will have to pack it all back up within a week \u2013 and\u00a0take their show on the road.<\/p>\n
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