The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach crossed the finish line for the 51st time on Sunday, but the Long Beach Vibe it created will last well into the future.
Alex Palou won Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race before full grandstands while thousands of other fans watched on big screens from concession areas, inside the Long Beach Arena, while jamming to a DJ in the Korbel Welcome Plaza and elsewhere while they enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the event. People cherished the scene so much they stayed well past the final checkered flag, as if savoring every possible second like one does the last bites of a great meal.
“It’s an incredible atmosphere here with the fans,” Palou said. "It’s our biggest race outside of the Indy 500."
Polesitter Felix Rosenqvist was second, two-time winner Scott Dixon was third and defending champion Kyle Kirkwood was fourth. That gave Honda not just a podium sweep but the top four spots. Earlier, Tom Sawer won the Porsche Carrera Cup race, Matt Brabham took the win in the SPEED Energy Super Trucks and Chris Hines raced to the win in the Historic Sports Car Challenge in a 1990 Chevrolet.
This was a successful weekend not just for title sponsor Acura – which also took the top spot in Saturday’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race – but also for everyone who came out during the three-day extravaganza. Those who were here were treated to six different types of racing, a lively atmosphere with the AAA Travel Lifestyle Expo, a Family Fun Zone, a dizzying array of food and drink concessions, way-cool merchandise at booths and two concerts. The tradition of are-you-kidding-me-this-is-perfect sunny mid-70s weather only enhanced the positive experience.
The improvements Penske Entertainment made to the event with grander grandstands and the all-new double-decker Premium Pit Row Suites was evident, and it’s only going to get bigger and better in the future as this was just the beginning of a three-year improvement plan. The race went on without long-time President and CEO Jim Michaelian, who passed away just prior to this year’s event. Still, his presence was seen and felt everywhere and his 51-year involvement was remembered prior to the start of the Indycar race.
It was always the goal of the Grand Prix to create such a fun time that when it was all over, people would say, “that was a fun day, a fun weekend! What’s the date for next year!?” The 51st race succeeded in this goal most spectacularly, and we'll see you next April 16-18, 2027!
