The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is back — again.
After a quick pit stop — a little more than six months — following its first September running in more than four decades, Long Beach’s biggest sporting event and party will take over the city’s downtown next weekend, April 8-10.
Beginning this Friday, thousands will flood downtown Long Beach for three days of racing and partying, as the NTT IndyCar Series returns to the city for its third race of the season. The main race will be held Sunday, with IndyCar drivers zipping around a 1.97 mile circuit at 180 mph.
But that’s not the only attraction.
Along with the main race, there will be drifting and truck jumping and stock car races, myriad options for foodies, an exotic car show and a lifestyle expo. The race weekend is one of the region’s largest events and Long Beach’s biggest economic driver, bringing thousands to local hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs.
The April date puts the Grand Prix back in its traditional time slot after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 event and delayed last year’s iteration.
“(The Grand Prix) represents an opportunity to get out and enjoy what Southern California and Long beach has to offer,” said Jim Michaelian, CEO and president of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “It has always been associated with spring break and vacation and family activity, and we’re delighted to assume that time on the calendar.”
The last race, which was delayed by the pandemic for 18 months, finally got the green light in September, with turnout about normal, exceeding the association’s expectations, Michaelian said. Even with COVID-19 regulations, such as mask mandates and proof of vaccination or a negative test result required, the event drew more than 180,000 people, he said. The event drew 187,000 in 2019.
This year, there will be no COVID-19 regulations or restrictions, Michaelian said. And based on advance sales, Michaelian said, he expects this year’s event to exceed the 180,000 mark.
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Race cars are on display for media day Mar. 29, 2022, at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach circuit downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Formula DRIFT cars head out for some practice runs on media day Mar. 29, 2022, at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach circuit downtown. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach CEO Jim Michaelian appears at a press event on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Driver and Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame member Oriol Servia appears at a press event on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Apr. 8 – 10. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Indycar driver Colton Herta (top right) celebrates with his crew after winning the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Colton Herta won the race while Alex Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, won his first season championship. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Colton Herta, from Santa Clarita, heads down Shoreline Drive during the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Colton Herta won the race while Alex Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, won his first season championship. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Takuma Sato, from Tokyo, Japan, heads down Shoreline Drive during the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Colton Herta won the race while Alex Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, won his first season championship. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Colton Herta, from Santa Clarita, makes a pit stop during the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Colton Herta won the race while Alex Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, won his first season championship. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Pato O’Ward, from Monterrey, Mexico, makes a pit stop during the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Colton Herta won the race while Alex Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, won his first season championship. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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NTT IndyCar series champion Alex Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, takes a selfie with Chip Ganassi Racing driver advisor Dario Franchitti following the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Colton Herta won the race while Palou, from Barcelona, Spain, won his first season championship. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Families were visible throughout the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Fans watch the last few laps of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the final day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Long Beach residents Casey Turner, left, and Kai Tramel check out a pace car prior to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Patrick Zick of Los Angeles holds his granddaughter, Chase Nash, 2, on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 in the lifestyle expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Long Beach residents Casey Turner, left, and Kai Tramel check out a pace car prior to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Liliana, 2, and her 5-year-old brother, Sebastian, dance up a storm on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 prior to the start of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Young children and families were visible throughout the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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3-year-old Kenji Kalin, goes for a spin in the Family Fun Zone at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Grand Prix first-timers Tim and Anna Plumley of Van Nuys brought their 3-year-old son, Miles, to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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The Family Fun Zone at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was a popular spot on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Young children were visible throughout the venue at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Photographer)
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Kelly Thomas of San Juan Capistrano carries her 18-month-old daughter, Kobie, down the grandstand steps at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Photographer)
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A large crowd including many families was on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Photographer)
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Stadium Super Truck driver Jerett Brooks takes a jump during the first of two SST races this weekend Saturday morning at the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Stadium Super Truck driver Jerett Brooks (front right) leads the field through turn 10 as Matt Brabham (left), Robert Stout (center rear), and Jacob Abel (right) take a jump during the first of two SST races this weekend Saturday morning at the 46th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sept. 25, 2021. Brooks emerged victorious. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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These race fans are starting young and protecting their ears on the second day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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The Salgado family dances for the Firestone virtual winners circle on the second day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Fans flocked to the Red Bull car inside the sports arena, on the second day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Race fans watching the Stadium Super Trucks catch some air off the ramps on the second day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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The US Airorce set up a rapid recon booth to test cognitive skills, contrasting words with colors, inside the Lifestyle Expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Race enthusiasts test their skills at the Lexus Racing booth inside the Lifestyle Expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Race fans watch the drivers come up Pine Avenue on the second day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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A customer enjoys his purchase at The Pit on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. This year, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach organizers and vendors sought to bring a more refined culinary experience while also keeping with “county fair” customs. ASM Global’s culinary team Savor served as the official Food & Beverage (Hospitality) for the Grand Prix and curated its new menu. (Dean Musgrove, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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This year, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach organizers and vendors sought to bring a more refined culinary experience while also keeping with “county fair” customs. ASM Global’s culinary team Savor served as the official Food & Beverage (Hospitality) for the Grand Prix and curated its new menu. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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This year, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach organizers and vendors sought to bring a more refined culinary experience while also keeping with “county fair” customs. ASM Global’s culinary team Savor served as the official Food & Beverage (Hospitality) for the Grand Prix and curated its new menu. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Ig Seghal, co-owner of House of Pistachios, at his business’ booth at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Vinee and Nina Seghal started House of Pistachios in 1986 after immigrating from India to support homeschooling their four children. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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No shortage of cars to admire inside the Lifestyle Expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Race enthusiasts check out Acura cars inside the Lifestyle Expo on the first day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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The crowd goes through a security check on the first day of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Though there will be no COVID-19 protocols, Michaelian said, there will be a COVID-19 testing booth for people who want it.
The eased regulations fall in line with the city’s current health order, one that’s aligned with the state, which no longer require such safety regulations, said Jennifer Rice Epstein, a spokeswoman for Long Beach’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Apart from any lingering pandemic concerns, the Grand Prix is typically a safe event for its size. Long Beach police issued seven citations at the September event and arrested one person.
The Police Department, as is typical, did not divulge its safety plans for this year’s event. But the department, in a recent email, encouraged race-goers to report suspicious activity to its police dispatch line, 562-435-6711, and call 911 for emergencies.
“Having it return last year and now to its original schedule is a huge testament to our continuing recovery from COVID-19,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in an emailed statement. “It’s been an incredibly difficult two years but thanks to the success of our vaccination program, we’re excited to safely bring iconic events like the Grand Prix back to Long Beach.”
While the September race was born out of cancellations and logistical problems, some of those issues were relieved heading into this year, especially since race organizers told its vendors the event would return in short order. Acura, the title sponsor of the race, has been supportive of the event throughout the pandemic and its exit from it, Michaelian said
And despite a short turnaround, set up for the race was not very difficult, Michaelian said. Grand Prix Association staff can work quickly, he added, but the city also allowed the organization to keep some race structures up after the September event.
The Grand Prix’s return to April makes it the third IndyCar race this season — rather than the finale, as it was in 2021. Scott McLaughlin currently leads the standings, followed by Alex Palou, who won the overall IndyCar Series in Long Beach last year. Will Power is in third place and Colton Herta, who won the Long Beach race in September, sits in fourth.
The Grand Prix and Long Beach will also have an even larger public platform this year: Network television.
The main race will be broadcast live on NBC’s main channel, rather than the secondary stations that aired it in past years.
NBC’s Peacock streaming service will also show the IndyCar practices and qualifying.
Along with the main race, there will be five other competitions, including those featuring sports cars, cars that drift and trucks that boast 600 horsepower — and will jump ramps as they race.
There will also be the Historic IMSA GTP Challenge, featuring prototype race cars from the 1980s and 1990s; and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, a new race at the Grand Prix this year.
But the Grand Prix is known for more than just appealing to motorsports fans.
There will be a lifestyle expo in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and a Family Fun Zone in the Long Beach Arena. There will also be local food trucks. The all star rock band Royal Machines will perform live during the Grand Prix’s traditional Saturday night concert.
The Royal Machines is composed of musicians from other popular rock bands, including Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction, Billy Morrison of Billy Idol and The Cult, and Donovan Leitch and Josh Freese of The Vandals.
Some of these events and attractions took place at the September race as well. But despite such a quick turnaround, Michaelian said, he is not worried there will be any burnout for the event.
“Even with COVID,” he said in a phone interview last week, “the event had a tremendous turnout and a great deal of momentum and that carried over to the event here in April.”
Local business owners, who see an economic boost when the Grand Prix comes to town, are also looking forward to the event’s quick return, said Jeremy Harris, president and CEO of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We know that local businesses have been waiting a long time,” he said in an email, “and are now looking forward to a successful and profitable weekend.”
Harris also said he expects the Grand Prix to bring just as many people this year, if not more.
“These continue to be challenging times for the Long Beach business community,” he said, “and the hope is that the Grand Prix will add a much-needed boost in revenue for so many struggling businesses in the city.”
And the Grand Prix is good for the city’s finances, too.
The Grand Prix generally generates $63 million for the Southern California region as a whole and $32 million for Long Beach through direct spending, labor income and tax revenue, said Johnny Vallejo, the city’s acting director of economic development.
Vallejo, in a phone interview last week, could not say how much the September race generated for the city because tax revenue and economic impact data typically lags. The race, though, usually provides 600 year-round jobs to the region and 350 to Long Beach, he said.
“The Grand Prix really has an economic impact,” he said, “not only for Long Beach, but also for the greater region.”
And its impact on local businesses and city revenue will continue for years to come: In January, the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and the city signed a new contract extension to keep the race here until 2028.
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