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2026 Long Beach Grand Prix Draws 200,000 Fans

4/17/2026

38 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach began on April 17, 2026, with the IndyCar race on April 19 and about 200,000 attendees.
IndyCar moves Long Beach to the fifth race of the season.
Kyle Kirkwood, the defending IndyCar Series champion, leads the standings, followed by Alex Palou, an IndyCar Series driver.
The weekend features IMSA and Porsche Carrera Cup racing, with practice and qualifying sessions.

History

Historical Context

The Grand Prix of Long Beach began in 1975 as a Formula 5000 race, attracting 30,000 spectators. It transitioned to a Formula One event in 1976, gaining prominence until financial challenges led to its switch to CART in 1984. Today, the race remains a key IndyCar event, drawing over 200,000 attendees and significantly boosting Long Beach's economy and tourism.

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Story summary

The 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach began on April 17, 2026, with the IndyCar race on April 19 and about 200,000 attendees.
IndyCar moves Long Beach to the fifth race of the season.
Kyle Kirkwood, the defending IndyCar Series champion, leads the standings, followed by Alex Palou, an IndyCar Series driver.
The weekend features IMSA and Porsche Carrera Cup racing, with practice and qualifying sessions.

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