The weather cooled a bit but the action did not during the second day of the 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The cars were rolling, the music was pumping, vendors were talking with fans, merchandise booths were busy and people were enjoying all elements that make up this annual three-day Southern California event.
Kyle Kirkwood, the 2023 winner, took the pole for Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race for a team name synonymous with Long Beach, Andretti Global, in his Honda-powered machine. He edged ahead of teammate Colton Herta, giving Andretti Global complete command of the front row.
“When you’re in an Andretti Global car at Long Beach, you know you’re going to be quick,” Kirkwood said. “You’ve got to be so happy with that, right? A front-row Andretti Global lockout here at Long Beach. I’m shaking. That was great. That was such a good lap, such a good qualifying. Fortunately, I didn’t put any wheel wrong or hit anything. That’s always a question here at street courses. You’ve got to send it to get that top spot.”
Saturday’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championship race resulted in Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy winning in GTP with Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell finishing second, giving Porsche Penske Motorsport a 1-2 finish. In GTD, Laurens Vanthoor and Jonny Edgar combined to reach to the top of the podium in the AO Motorsport "Rexy" Porsche.
All competitors raced in front of grandstands so full it looked like a Sunday rather than a Saturday. Even more fans were at concession stands, in the paddocks, on boats in the harbor and taking in the entire iconic scene as morning clouds gave way to afternoon sunshine. They were also entertained by the first of two weekend Historic Formula Exhibitions – won by Jordon Roddy in a 2005 Lola 05/00 – the GT America sports cars race, the high-flying SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks, the Super Drift Challenge and the Saturday concert starring Foreigner presented by Cuervo Tequila.
All the tied into Sunday, which features the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race starting at 1:30 p.m. Prior to that is the Historic Formula Exhibition at 10:45 a.m. and a GT America race at 11:20 a.m. At 12:15 p.m., the pre-race ceremonies start and, while walking around the grounds provides plenty of atmosphere, fans are advised to be in their seats or in front of one of the many giant video screens to witness very special events tied to this event's 50th anniversary.
There are two co-Grand Marshals tomorrow: four-time winner Mario Andretti and the “King of the Beach,” six-time winner Al Unser, Jr. At 12:40 p.m., a Grand Prix Legends Parade of six cars will feature Andretti; Unser, Jr.; Brian Redman; Paul Tracy, and race founder Chris Pook riding in vintage cars provided by Petersen Museum, after the Mother’s Exotic Car parade. The cars will then be on display the rest of the day in the Mother’s Exotic Car Paddock between Turns 9 and 10. It is also highly recommended that fans spend time at the historic display in the Lifestyle Expo, which has information on all the previous 49 winners as well a tribute to race co-founder Dan Gurney. A special souvenir program is also being sold at the Grand Prix merchandise tents.
Back on track, there will be pre-race laps from an INDYCAR two-seater in the “Fastest Seat in Motorsports.” The national anthem will be performed by recording artist and producer Tim Kepler, a Riverside native who is the regular anthem singer for the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Sunday’s pre-race festivities will also feature a U.S. Navy flyover as well as the United States Army Golden Knights parachute team.
And as a tribute to the LA wildfires heroes, 27 first responders from various departments will be riding in the back of pickup trucks along with the INDYCAR drivers in the parade lap. The Honorary Starter is Captain Erik Scott with LA City Fire and there will be a special recognition for Department Chief Anthony James with Pasadena Fire.
