The Acura Grand Prix of LB – A Race, and an Institution

Yes, this is an institution on its 50^th anniversary. The question is, what kind of institution is this? Morphing from the first year with Formula 5000 racers catching air on the streets of Long Beach to today’s norm with Stadium Super Trucks flying like pigs with wings, this is a motorsports madness with a little something for everyone.

Article and images by John Grafman
Updated 6/21/2025

In 1975, the Long Beach Grand Prix wasn’t the only epic moment in time capturing the public’s imagination. Steven Spielberg became a household name and had us thinking about getting a bigger boat thanks to Jaws. Computers were on the verge of becoming a fixture in the households of America with the founding of Microsoft by Bill Gates and Paul Allen while Altair introduced one of the first PCs, the 8800. Bruce Springsteen was on his way to superstardom with the release of his third album, Born To Run.

We’ve finally got comfortable with getting off the beach and into the water, computers fitting in the palms of our hands, and we still love Bruce – a real American icon. These stand the test of time, and the Grand Prix of Long Beach is no different. In fact, it’s more popular than ever before.

This Isn’t A Race

Channeling Sally Kellerman in her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the movie M*A*S*H, and later reprised by actress Loretta Swit, “This isn’t a race, it’s an insane asylum!” Obviously, to be a racer rocketing down the AGPLB shoreline at triple digit speeds with nearly 200 thousand riveted fans ringside, it does take a certain kind of crazy. Beyond the endless racing, every twist and turn does provide more fun than a barrel full of monkeys with a cast of characters that boggle the mind.

The reality is, as thrilling as NTT IndyCar Series may be, the Long Beach Grand Prix staple is probably the sanest of the races spanning the three days. For millions, IndyCar is the epitome of racing. This year, enthusiasts are not disappointed. And, Long Beach is a good barometer for the most well attended event on the circuit, the Indy 500.

The 2025 IndyCar podium winners are Kyle Kirkwood (27) in first (the second time in three years), Alex Palou (10) secures second place – less than 3-seconds behind him, and Christian Lundgaard (7) pulls up the rear over 18-seconds behind Kirkwood. The three had an average lap speed of less than a half mile-per-hour apart, with Kirkwood averaging 100.395 mph. Weeks later in Indianapolis, it’s Palou that takes the checkered flag.

The Next Gen NTT INDYCAR Series season

Dallara has produced chassis for the series since 1997 and has been the series’ exclusive chassis supplier since 2008. In the not-too-distant future, a new race car series will come alive as part of the 2028 NTT INDYCAR Series season. Dallara will produce the chassis, which will feature a look designed to appeal to the next generation of enthusiasts while retaining styling cues recognized by all as an INDYCAR Series car.

On the flip side, running on the same course in Long Beach are irreplaceable vintage race cars which are both thrilling and horrifying to witness. Watching the number 8, 1980 McLaren M30 using a wall as a failsafe braking system is nearly unfathomable. Fortunately, the driver, Sean Allen, isn’t any worse for wear. Nevertheless, we doubt he’ll be trying that again during practice or at any other time soon.

As cool as the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) vintage racers are, even a rock chip would seem like a tragic blemish. On the other hand, watching decades old machines spar on the track is like jumping into a time machine, only better. Cars of different varieties and decades face off against each other. This never would have occurred in the past, aside from in our dreams, but at the 2025 AGPLB, dreams do come true. It’s a rare chance to see how the different series measure up against each other. Given the circumstances, and the age of the cars, the racing might not be as hardcore as it was in the 70s and 80s, but it’s just as mesmerizing.

At The 2025 AGPLB, Dreams Do Come True

In the first HMSA exhibition race on late Saturday morning, the number 1X, 2005 Lola 05/00 driven by Jordan Roddy came in first place, the 48T 1969 Eagle with Butch Leitzinger followed, and the number 14, 1979 Tyrrell 009 with wheelman Carl Meeker rounded-up the top three. The stats from the second HMSA exhibition on the following day shows the number 43, a 1976 March 761 piloted by Steph Romak claiming the top spot on the podium. Second place goes to car 99, a 1983 Tyrrell 011B with driver Jamie Constable, and Mikel Miller in the number 9, 1974 March 741 takes third.

Off track and standing next to these surviving sleds of an era long since passed, one can really soak up the design and proportions of the historic vintage race cars. Right off the bat, these look like scaled down models from what we’ve become accustomed to in modern IndyCar and F1 racers. This might explain why many race drivers in bygone days were lean, mean, and could be described as vertically challenged. To mingle between such tempting machines is nearly beyond compare as these sit on display. To throw Magnus Walker, urban outlaw, eccentric Porsche-holic and fashion designer, into the mix does make this a usual spectacle. Yet, the abnormal elsewhere is oddly normal here.

At night, the spectacle doesn’t stop. The Super Drift Challenge continues to put on displays that boggle the mind. Cars dance on the track like ice skaters effortlessly slide around. The action is right out of an action movie. Many tires gave up their lives to the cheers of the crowds. At the same time, those fans get caked with itsy bitsy pieces of rubber as the drifters shred those to oblivion. Everyone gets a souvenir from the Super Drift Challenge whether they want it or not.

The Indiana Jones School Of Driving

For the Long Beach Grand Prix attendees looking for more interactive fun, Honda ride-a-longs in the latest SUVs on the top of the Arena Parking Structure are sure to thrill. These explore the capabilities of the SUVs in hill climbs and simulated off-road conditions. The rigidity of the pre-production Honda Passport TrailSport model is readily apparent in the fabled fire hydrant salutes as these traverse the course. And in all fairness, this is more rugged an adventure than most owners will ever push their cars to. The urban jungle doesn’t require an advance degree from the Indiana Jones school of driving.

About a hundred feet away is the Long Beach Convention Center with the iconic whale murals painted by renowned environmental artist Wyland, which encircle the exterior. On the inside is a chaotic scene with all sorts of vendors and exhibits. Here we find automotive art and the U.S. Marines, Galpin Motors, along with Acura street and race cars just inches away for attendees to drool over. This proves to be an entertaining side-show to the action on track. Plus, the people-watching is a happy distraction from the racing.

With an extensive footprint, the 1.968-mile course can feel like a marathon for those that need to traverse all four corners. While navigating the grounds in a car or even a golf cart would be a challenge, we did find one executive that had the clout to enlist a motorized solution that can thread the needle between the swelling crowds. Jim Michaelian, CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, certainly deserves the honor. Being with the Association for 50-years, Jim just received a star on the Motorsports Walk of Fame on April 10^th. So, if Jim Michaelian wants to roam the course on his scooter, that’s cool. Hell, if he wants to suit up as Evel Knievel, more power to him. Race fans see this smiling guy heading towards them, and they respectfully yield to Michaelian. He’s earned the right. Of course, everyone else walking the course is at least a tad bit jealous for the obvious reasons.

Inspiration Back In The Design Studio

The Acura hospitality tent is a welcoming homebase and watering hole for those on the guest list. It’s no shocker to encounter industry notables taking a break from the action on the track and grabbing a bite. Yet, running into Dave Marek, Executive Creative Director for Acura, was a welcomed treat. Marek oversaw the development of the Acura ARX-06 prototype race car body with Lead Designer Bill Yex. This is far from Dave Marek’s first rodeo at the AGPLB, but his participation shows that Acura is far more involved than slapping the brand name on as the title sponsor. Sure, Acura is the title sponsor, and this venue is local, but Dave is here because he wants to be. Marek soaks up the energy and the cultural influences, which could very well translate into inspiration back in the design studio.

While the Speed / UTV Stadium Super Trucks are shooting for the stars, Robbie Gordon is definitely down to earth, as in he can be found poking around the Long Beach Convention Center grounds just like any commoner. Okay, the race suit is a dead giveaway that he’s not an average fan milling about. However, with all manner or distractions like the paddocks, monster-size race haulers, DJs spinning thumping music that’s as loud as a Boeing jet engine, magnetically brilliant displays at the Mothers Polish car show, a wide array of carnivalesque foods and drinks, excellent choices of merchandise to help fans part with their spare cash such as found at Grand Prix Originals, as well as the Marines using the sport as a recruitment tool, Robbie Gordon could potentially blend into the madness of this sideshow and disappear. Well, aside from the fact he’s a god-like figure in motorsports.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship does not disappoint. With multiple classes rolled into one race, there’s something for everyone. This also pits very familiar looking modified cars we can find on any city street up against prototypes that mimic earthbound alien spacecraft. Arguably, these have some of the most dramatic livery and graphics throughout the grand prix weekend. Under the gray skies of the damp, morning overcast, the visual impact is watered down, but this does nothing to temper the whine of these engines being pushed to the ragged edge of detonation and self-destruction. One can’t help but think that the cool imagery on the cars helps to motivate drivers (and fans) like the extra stripes on the side of tennis shoes gives youngsters a little edge on the court. And the shapes of these race cars can trickle down to production cars, according to Jordan Taylor of Wayne Taylor Racing.

Capture The Imagination With Radical Design Forms

In the GTP (Prototype) class, the number 7, Porsche 963 took top honors, with the number 6 trailing in second place, and third goes to the number 24, BMW M Hybrid V8. The eleven prototype racers are a mix of Acuras, BMWs, Cadillacs, and Porsches, with at least two of each. The only lone wolf was an Aston Martin Valkyrie that came in eighth place. Regardless of the model, all of these capture the imagination with radical design forms that slip smoothly through the air.

The GTD class features many recognizable race cars, and even with comical graphics, it was still easy to identify the first place Porsche 911 GT3 R (992). While the GTD class is filled with other names we associate with racing, like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and even Chevy Corvette, but both second and third place is awarded to the drivers of both Lexus RC F GT3 cars. The number 12 Lexus followed the number 177 Porsche for second place by a mere 2.378 seconds.

The GT America Powered by AWS race embraces modified stock vehicles that are more relatable than most of the other races. The casual race fan can easily find a one team or another to root for based on nothing more than the manufacturer. In the old days it was Ford versus Chevy. While Chevrolet is represented, fans will have to forgo the blue oval for Aston Martin (a former Ford PAG brand), Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedes, and Porsche. The number 29 BMW M4 GT3 EVO proved to be dominant with Justin Rothberg piloting. However, had it not been some unforeseen issues in the last lap, it would have been James Sofronas of GMG with his Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVOII. Sofronas went from first to tenth in a blink, but that’s racing.

Admission To See Foreigner For Free

The roar by the shore isn’t only relegated to the racing. Saturday evening’s concert features Foreigner, which formed just a year after the Long Beach Grand Prix came into existence, albeit with several line-up changes over the years. The Terrace Theater Plaza adjacent to the track is maxed out with fans. It’s a challenge for many that have a fondness for both the races and the band, especially as each ticket to the GP allows for admission to see Foreigner for free. Soaking up the last of the action on the track means being stuck in the rear behind thousands of Foreigner fans. Or being in the front rows of the concert requires abstaining from the conclusion of the practice sessions. It’s enough to give one a headache. Well, Foreigner has been known to play Head Games now and then (pun intended).

Foreigner was firing on all cylinders. The band is comprised of the usual suspects with Kelly Hansen (lead vocals), Luis Maldonado (guitar), Bruce Watson (guitar), Jeff Pilson (bass), Chris Frazier (drums), and Michael Bluestein (keyboards). The original group featured Lou Gramm, Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Ed Gagliardi, and Dennis Elliott. Like the Historic Vintage Racers, the band isn’t some slick upgrade. It faithfully echoes the past, and those in attendance wouldn’t want it any other way. The action on stage equals the energy of the cars on the track earlier in the day.

How can anyone with a heavy right foot not fall in love with the lyrics of Gramm and Greenwood from 1979 – “She’s wearin’ new colours and runnin’ pretty good, I got 400 horses tucked under the hood. But there’s no need to panic, it’s under control, we’re aerodynamic and ready to roll.” Let’s face it, the guys in Foreigner get it!

Rev On The Red Line With Brian Redman

Also, another person that knows how to Rev on the Red Line is none other than Brian Redman, the winner of the first Grand Prix in 1975. Back in his heyday, racing was a bloodsport. Redman reminds us at race weekend that routinely we could see crashes that left drivers, and sometimes attendees, seriously injured. Beyond that, it wasn’t out of the question to have fatalities as part of the action. Certainly, times have changed for the better when it comes to safety in motorsports.

In the half-century since this all started, Long Beach has shed its image as home to portside bars and bordellos and has become a proper city with gleaming high-rise buildings of glass, and serious companies moving in. The Ford Advanced Electric Vehicle headquarters is adjacent to Long Beach Airport, according to Mayor Rex Richardson. This is in addition to the Mercedes-Benz Research & Design Center. Plus, three years ago, the stealthy start-up, Slate Automotive, opened its design studio in Long Beach, which was flying under the radar until very recently with the unveiling of the brand’s first products.

Since the first GP race to now, the city has embraced the Grand Prix, and this has survived and thrived. It almost seems to be too good to be true. The payoff has been not just a local, cultural phenomenon, but the city is now on the map with booming business opportunities. So, when anybody asks, what kind of an institution is the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the correct answer is – a successful one!