{"id":32795,"date":"2025-04-13T02:41:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-13T06:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=32795"},"modified":"2025-04-13T02:41:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-13T06:41:08","slug":"grand-prix-of-long-beachs-most-memorable-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/13\/grand-prix-of-long-beachs-most-memorable-moments\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating 50 Years of History: Long Beach’s Most Memorable Moments"},"content":{"rendered":"

IndyCar is part of motorsport history this weekend as they prepare to race through Long Beach. The iconic street circuit that runs through the coastal city is celebrating its 50th anniversary of racing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Celebrating Long Beach: The Grand Prix’s Greatest Moments<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach<\/a> was first introduced as part of the Formula 5000 schedule by event founder Christopher Pook in 1975. The following year, the circuit was added as a track on the Formula 2 calendar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The last Formula 1 race in Long Beach was held in 1983. The Grand Prix<\/a> of Long Beach is considered the city’s largest event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CART Indy Car\u2019s First Running in Long Beach\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

On March 31, 1984, the street circuit became a part of the CART Indy Car calendar. The first CART driver to take the top step of the podium was none other than Mario Andretti.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Long Beach served as the season opener that year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mario Andretti<\/a> started on pole and led all 112 laps of the race. This made him the only other driver aside from Geoff Brabham to finish the race on the lead lap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Long Beach was officially added as a part of the IndyCar Series calendar in 2009.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Andretti\u2019s Finds Victory<\/b><\/h3>\n

Mario wasn\u2019t the only Andretti to find success while driving through the streets of Long Beach as his son, Michael, had a very similar experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

His very first CART career win was the 1986 running of the race. The battle for first place was between him and Al Unser Jr. Thanks to an early pit stop, Andretti had warmer tires than Unser and was able to retake the lead after Unser exited the plan ahead of Andretti on Lap 69.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the later stages of the race, Andretti, Unser, and Roberto Moreno all found themselves getting a bit too close to comfort. Andretti luckily pulled ahead and won the race by 0.380 seconds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Andretti\u2019s final win of his career<\/a> was also in Long Beach in 2002.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n