This iconic street race has continually evolved and
reinvented itself over its 35 years.Many
new developments and changes are being revealed this week in an action packed event
schedule.
The key events are IndyCar Series the premier open wheel US series
competing on a challenging combination of superspeedways, short ovals, scenic
road courses and temporary street circuits like Long Beach.
This race will feature a unified field under the
IndyCar series banner.All cars are
running on normally-aspirated Honda engines, Dallara chassis, Firestone
Firehawk racing tires and 100
percent fuel grade ethonol.
Several new faces including Danica Patrick and Marco
Andretti will join the familiar names of Graham Rahal, Will Power and Justin
Wilson to the Long Beach
audience. Also, Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon will make their
return to this course after a six year absence.
Drivers will take the green flag from a rolling start
instead of standing start.All cars must
be in their proper locations in two-wide alignment during the final parade lap
until the green flag is dropped.
A late breaking development announced this afternoon from
Penske Racing is Helio Castroneves has received a favorable court verdict and
will compete this weekend in the No. 3 Team Penske car. Will Power will compete for Penske Racing in
the No 12 Team Verizon Wireless Dallara/Honda at The Long Beach Grand Prix and
the Inaianapolis 500.
At separate track times, the Firestone Indy Lights,
Speed World Challenge cars (SWC) practiced Friday with the Indycars in
preparation for Saturday team qualification and Sunday competitions.Since Thursday, the American Le Mans Series
practiced and qualified for a Saturday 4:15
pm race.These prototype
(LMP 1&2) and production (GT 1&2) offer exciting and competitive racing
at the same time and track at diverse speeds and driving styles.
Finally, there will be the highly popular Drifting
demonstrations with competition and some surprising alternate transportation
and green technology demonstrations.
Qualification summaries and race results will be published
as appropriate.
Here is a visual preview of some of the qualification
efforts and overview of selected racing venues at this exciting street circuit
by the sea.
