IndyCar - Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach stands as one of North America's premier IndyCar events, held annually on the Streets of Long Beach in Long Beach, California. The 2026 edition marked the 51st running of this historic street race and the 42nd time the IndyCar Series competed on this celebrated urban circuit. Known as the longest-running major street race in North America and the second-oldest continuously run race in IndyCar history after the Indianapolis 500, this event draws approximately 190,000 fans who come to witness world-class open-wheel racing through downtown Long Beach.

The Streets of Long Beach Circuit

The Streets of Long Beach presents a challenging temporary road course that measures approximately 1.968 miles in length. The circuit features 11 turns and runs clockwise through the downtown area. Drivers navigate a scenic waterfront setting that has earned comparisons to Monaco. The track layout includes the sweeping curve of Shoreline Drive, the fountain turn, and a demanding hairpin at the end of the long front straightaway. The FIA Grade 2 circuit is particularly known for its difficult pit lane, which ranks among the most challenging of the season due to its narrow, banked, and curved configuration.

2026 Race Results

The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach served as the fifth round of the NTT IndyCar Series season. Álex Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Honda power, claimed his first victory at Long Beach. Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing finished second, while Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing completed the podium. Kyle Kirkwood, a two-time previous winner at this circuit, finished fourth. The race featured a competitive field of approximately 25-27 drivers, including notable competitors such as Pato O'Ward, Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas, Graham Rahal, Alexander Rossi, and Kyffin Simpson. Past Long Beach winners in the field included Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi, Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood, and Josef Newgarden.

Complete Motorsports Festival

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach offers more than just IndyCar racing. The weekend featured multiple racing series and attractions. Support races included the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with GTP and GTD classes, the Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge, Robby Gordon's SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks, the Porsche Carrera Cup, and the Historic Sports Car Challenge. The #93 Acura ARX-06 of Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian, driven by Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande, won the IMSA race, marking Acura's first victory at its home race since returning to IMSA prototype racing in 2018.

Fan Activities and Entertainment

Attendees enjoyed numerous off-track attractions including the AAA Travel Lifestyle Expo, a Family Fun Zone, driver autograph sessions, food trucks, and exotic car displays. Concert performances featured Kings of Chaos and Lupe Fiasco. Ticket prices for the event ranged from $56 to $221, providing access options for various budget levels.

Technical Specifications and Regulations

IndyCar Series cars in 2026 utilized the Dallara DW12 chassis equipped with the 2018 universal aero kit. Chevrolet and Honda supplied engines, both having extended their contracts with plans to introduce 2.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 engines in 2028. Firestone served as the exclusive tire supplier through at least the 2030 season.

The 2026 season introduced several regulatory updates. Teams were required to use Firestone's alternate tire compounds twice and the primary compound once during street course races, with drivers completing at least two green-flag laps on each compound set. New superspeedway flaps became mandatory for oval racing to reduce aerodynamic lift during spins. Second practice sessions adopted a group format with a 40-minute segment followed by two 12-minute group segments. Qualifying groups were determined by results from the previous race. IndyCar implemented more aggressive late-race procedures to clear lapped cars before restarts.

A significant organizational change occurred with the establishment of INDYCAR Officiating, a new independent, not-for-profit organization governed by a three-person Independent Officiating Board to oversee all competition officiating.

Rich Racing Heritage

The Grand Prix of Long Beach began in September 1975 as a Formula 5000 race won by Brian Redman. The event hosted Formula One as the United States Grand Prix West from 1976 to 1983. During the F1 era, no turbo-powered car won between 1977 and 1983. The 1983 Formula One race featured a remarkable performance by John Watson, who won from 22nd on the grid, setting a record for the lowest starting position for a winner at Long Beach, with teammate Niki Lauda finishing second after starting 23rd.

In 1984, the event transitioned to CART IndyCar racing. From 1996 to 2008, it anchored the CART/Champ Car World Series calendar, with the 2008 race serving as the final Champ Car event before open-wheel racing unified. Since 2009, the Streets of Long Beach has been a prominent fixture on the unified IndyCar Series schedule. Acura assumed title sponsorship in 2019, succeeding Toyota, who supported the event from 1980 to 2018.

Impact and Significance

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach played a crucial role in revitalizing Long Beach, transforming the city into an international destination and catalyzing economic growth and tourism development. The event demonstrates how street racing can serve as both a premier sporting competition and a community asset. For IndyCar fans, the Streets of Long Beach offers a unique opportunity to watch drivers compete on a demanding temporary circuit that tests precision, strategy, and car control in an urban environment. The combination of competitive racing, diverse support series, and comprehensive entertainment programming creates a complete motorsports experience that continues to attract fans year after year.