Of all the drivers in the world, Álex Palou caught a break to win the IndyCar race from Long Beach. But remember, only twice has a driver won Long Beach and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year. Which means Palou is going to become the third. NASCAR had a solid race from Kansas. The party was spoiled in Imola. Supercross lost a championship contender before the race even started in Cleveland. However, another year in Long Beach but this time without an old friend made me wonder.
Farewells and the Future
James Hinchcliffe got me thinking after listening to the latest episode of Off Track with Hinch and Rossi on Thursday. On the show, Hinchcliffe mentioned the melancholia that was hanging over this year's Grand Prix of Long Beach after the passing of long-time event president Jim Michaelian on March 21, aged 83.
Michaelian was instrumental in the development of the Long Beach race from its early days hosting Formula One though the present where it has become an encompassing week of racing starting with Formula Drift before hosting IndyCar and IMSA with Stadium Super Trucks also on the bill. Long Beach is not what it is without Michaelian's work for 50-plus years. I highly recommend listening to Dinner with Racers' podcast with Michaelian to learn more about the event.
It is a reminder that many of these torchbearers for American motorsports are getting older and will not be around forever. So many people involved in all forms of American motorsports, IndyCar, IMSA, NASCAR included, have been around for decades and decades, and there are many prominent names still in charge and active deep into their 70s and 80s. Some of these individuals have seen significant changes not only from what is on the track but how events operate and procedures surrounding events. They are living history books, but they will not be around forever.
There is a difficulty in moving forward without someone like Michaelian around. Long Beach is the one successful street race in the United States. It has lasted more than half a century. Most street races in the United States don't even make it three years. They are lucky to see five years. There have been a few other outliers and the likes of St. Petersburg deserves its recognition as it closes in on a quarter-century, but none have come close to what Long Beach has become and what it has meant.
Long Beach is arguably an underrated event, even in the United States. The quintessential American street race isn't appointment viewing for the casual sports fan. Few motorsports events are, but Long Beach deserves it. It has long been a gathering of the top competitors in American motorsport with IndyCar and IMSA racing together, but prior to that with Trans-Am as well. It is an event steeped in history, and much of the course is the same. It has had a few alterations. The fountain section has only been around for about half its existence, but it is still Shoreline Drive. It is still Seaside Way. It is still the hairpin. Hell, even Monaco has had some minor alternations in its near century of hosting races but the hairpin and the chicane and Casino Square have all been there.
It is a special event to motorsports fans, but it should be greater than what it is.
The future is tough in these moments, but it was already being considered. Michaelian was planning to step down after this year's race. IndyCar purchased the Long Beach race in November 2024, securing the event for years to come and preventing it from possibly taking on another headliner. Everything changes, and someday someone else would be in charge. Now that day is here. We were always going to have to face this moment.
With the steadiness Michaelian had running Long Beach through many difficult periods of American open-wheel racing, the challenge will be on the next generation and IndyCar to keep the event going. I don't think that will be an issue, but Michaelian had a special touch. It was a local running the event, and IndyCar is based in Indiana. There will be a challenge to keep the connection communal. It must feel like this is a grassroots event with someone who cares about Long Beach and wanting what is best for the event and the city. It is going to become a little more corporate with IndyCar in charge. The goal will be to lessen the friction and not have the race evolve into a hinderance.
Scheduling has not been easy for IndyCar in recent years. Who are we kidding? It hasn't been easy in a long time, possibly ever. There is always a battle to keep a race alive and keep the fans interested. Iowa was once a jewel for the series, and we saw how that deteriorated. The series has no roots in the Northeast, and you could argue it has no roots on the entire East Coast. It just returned to Texas after a brief spell away. There are still geographical pockets where IndyCar is absent. Efforts are always being explored to expand, but IndyCar isn't the quickest to lay down a foundation. It will put off taking a risk for years and still not do a thing.
Long Beach represents the best that can happen. It is on its own as a street race, but it does show an event can form from nothing more than a hope and prayer, and transform into an annual gathering that all celebrate. There is always a way to reach people and connect with people who are looking for an event of their own, something that is a planned weekend months in advance. It doesn't have to be a street race. It could be a short oval or a intermediate-sized road course. An event can rise up and become more than a race weekend. It can become a community celebration that is largely successful because the locals show up and the visitors coming from far and wide are the cherry on top.
If every event could be half as successful as Long Beach, IndyCar would be in a tremendous spot. There are plenty of events outside of this one and the Indianapolis 500 that have strong support, but around a third of the race weekends are hit-or-miss. You aren't sure if they will be good, and if things do not change, the series will have to start over somewhere else. It is a return to square one.
The beacon of hope is Long Beach. If it can work there for over 50 years, there is a way for any location to host an event. It just takes the right guidance.
Winners From the Weekend
You know about Álex Palou, but did you know...
The #93 Meyer Shank Racing Acura of Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly won the IMSA race from Long Beach. The #12 VasserSullivan Lexus of Aaron Telitz and Benjamin Pederson won in GTD.
The #7 Toyota of Sébastien Buemi, Brandon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa won the 6 Hours of Imola. The #69 Team WRT BMW of Dan Harper, Anthony McIntosh and Parker Thompson won in LMGT3.
Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup race from Kansas, his fifth victory of the season. Taylor Gray won the Grand National Series race.
Nicolò Bulega swept the World Superbike races from Assen, and Bulega is nine-for-nine this season. Jaume Masià and Philipp Öttl split the World Supersport races.
Kai Allen (race one), Brodie Kostecki (race two) and Matt Payne (races three and four) split the Supercars races from Ruapuna Park.
Ken Roczen won the triple crown Supercross round from Cleveland with finishes of second, second and first. Hunter Lawrence and Justin Cooper won the first two races. Nate Thrasher won the 250cc triple crown round with finishes of second, first and fourth. Seth Hammaker and Cole Davies won the other two races.
Coming Up This Weekend
MotoGP is back with the Spanish Grand Prix from Jerez.
NASCAR is at Talladega.
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters opens its season at the Red Bull Ring.
Super Formula has its second round from Autopolis.
GT World Challenge America heads to Austin.
The World Rally Championship ventures to the Canary Islands.
Supercross has its final East Coast round in Philadelphia.
