Long Beach Tag

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of INDYCAR’s most prestigious events of the season and for a valid reason. A former stop in the Formula One World Championship from 1976-1983, American Open Wheel Racing have since kept the Southern California street course alive and vibrant. More than any other street courses, Long Beach has had the luxury of having stability which has kept the venue on the calendar on an annual basis. Fans pack the venue to see various racing disciplines, ranging fromRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The biggest street course race of the season will commence this weekend in Long Beach. It’s the site of the third race in a span of eight weeks as 26 drivers hope to leave Southern California victorious. For some racers, a performance that’ll get their season on the right track. Only this time, it’ll be back in its traditional spring date for the first time since 2019 as last year’s race was held last September. As for its future, Long Beach will take place atRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The NTT IndyCar Series wrapped up its 2021 campaign with 46th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach last Sunday. Initially, the race was intended to be held in April but was postponed until late September, but what better race to cap off the 16-round odyssey than the sport’s biggest street circuit. When the dust settled, Andretti Autosport continued its dominance on the streets. Only this time, it was Colton Herta who owned the competition and went on to score his third win of the year.Read More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – Pole sitter Josef Newgarden knew a shot at a third Astor Cup was a huge reach. He entered Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach third in points, 47 markers behind Alex Palou. After 85 laps, Newgarden finished second in both the race and championship, losing out to Palou by 38 points. Newgarden led opening 18 laps until pit stops shuffled the running order, handing over the lead to Helio Castroneves. From there, cautions bit Newgarden which allowed eventual race winner ColtonRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – A lot has changed in the world since 2019. The three NTT IndyCar Series title contenders are no exception as their racing careers have also undergone change over the course of the past two years. When the checkered flag dropped at Laguna Seca that year, Josef Newgarden was celebrating his second INDYCAR title, which lifted a tremendous amount of stress off him. Current championship leader Alex Palou was racing in Japan’s Super Formula, along with Pato O’Ward, who was also racing inRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – NTT IndyCar Series championship leader Alex Palou will have some work to do for Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. He not only failed to make the Firestone Fast Six, but his 10th starting position was also the worst among the title contenders. Josef Newgarden ended up winning the NTT P1 Pole Award, cutting his gap on Palou to 47 points. Pato O’Ward, who also missed the Fast Six, will start two spots ahead of the Spaniard in eighth. During RoundRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – Charlie Kimball was one of two drivers who failed to qualify for the 105th Indianapolis 500. He hasn’t been back in an Indy car since, but that’ll change this Sunday at Long Beach, Kimball’s home circuit. Driving the third AJ Foyt Racing entry, the Camarillo native told Motorsports Tribune Thursday this weekend will symbolize a proper end of a crushing Month of May. “It’ll be nice to close the loop a little bit on the Month of May because not qualifying forRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – A new chapter will begin for Andretti Autosport’s No. 28 team in 2022, announcing Friday that Romain Grosjean will compete in the entire 17-race schedule for the organization next season. Grosjean will replace Ryan Hunter-Reay in one of the sport’s most recognizable cars. DHL will also stay with the team as it’ll be their 12th straight year sponsoring the No. 28 Honda-powered entry. In his first 12 NTT IndyCar Series starts, Grosjean has won a pole and reached the podium three times,Read More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – Road to Indy will look different on the Indy Lights side of things next season. Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles confirmed Friday that Penske Entertainment will take over sanctioning body and promotional operations. This role that was previously run by Andersen Promotions. Dan Andersen’s entity will continue running the other two RTI divisions (Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000) beyond 2021. “It has been our pleasure and honor to oversee the promotion and organization of Indy Lights for these past eightRead More
By Luis Torres, Staff Writer LONG BEACH, Calif. – After 15 rounds of hard fought racing, the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series championship trail will end this Sunday. Destination? Long Beach – the site of the finale and the sports’ most prestigious street race. A tremendous amount of storylines will be settled. One of the major headlines is indeed who’ll be hoisting the Astor Cup after Sunday’s finale. One man who controls his destiny is championship leader Alex Palou. The Chip Ganassi Racing competitor who entered the sport last year as aRead More