Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

City Council unanimously votes to keep IndyCar in Long Beach

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA - APRIL 13: Ryan Hunter-Reay, driver of the #28 Andretti Autosport Dallara Honda, leads a pack of cars on the track during the Verizon IndyCar Series Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13, 2014 on the streets of Long Beach, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The Verizon IndyCar Series will continue in Long Beach for the foreseeable future, following a vote announced late Tuesday night by the Long Beach City Council to re-up with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in a new long-term agreement.

The unanimous vote by the City Council brings to an end the speculation that Formula 1 could make a return, following efforts and media led by the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race founder Chris Pook.

Instead, the vote ensures IndyCar will continue on the streets for several years in a new agreement reached. Most IndyCar races’ current contracts were up in 2018 so for IndyCar to solidify its future at its second-longest tenured race on the calendar, and its marquee street course event of the year, is good news for all parties.

This vote follows the results of a $150,000 study done by a consulting firm, which called the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach the “most qualified” firm to run the race on the streets.

Jim Michaelian, President & CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, issued the following statement:

“We are delighted in the action of the Long Beach City Council this evening in voting unanimously to authorize City management to enter into a new long-term agreement with the Grand Prix Association starting in 2019. That means there will be a continuation of the Verizon IndyCar Series as well as all of the accompanying events that have become such an attractive part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend for many years to come. We also want to thank the City staff for the meticulous way in which they evaluated the various options that were submitted. The Grand Prix Association has been an integral part of the fabric of the Long Beach community for 43 years and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the future. The 44th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place on April 13-15, 2018.”