Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
2009 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
The 35th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach roared into town on April 16-19, with household names like Danica Patrick, Will Power and Marco Andretti blazing through the streets in finely-tuned ethanol burning rockets. The turns were tight and the straightaways were fast, which resulted in a few fender-benders and a fiery crash or two.
Along with the world-class Indy Cars there were other races, including the Firestone Indy Lights, Team Drifting, Speed World Challenge and the American Le Mans Series that pits state-of-the-art BMW's, Acuras, Porsches etc. against one another. Huge crowds filled the stands on Sunday for the final event and were treated to some beautiful weather and intense competition as Dario Franchitti's Target car took the big prize.
Female driving sensation Danica Patrick received a lot of interest from the fans and media and managed to come in fourth place among the other superstar competition. Her popularity was displayed by fans wearing her colors and a huge trailer selling her swag exclusively that had fans lining up to take a photo next to her image on the side. One thing about Danica and other Indy Car racers is that they are accessible and very accommodating with the fans, stopping to take photos and sign autographs whenever they mingled among the masses.
Helio Castroneves joined the pack on Saturday for his first race in several months after being acquitted of tax evasion hours earlier.
Support for LAist comes from
Being LAist, we had to check out the food court and it was incredible. Massive hot dogs, pastrami sandwiches and giant portions of curly fries and onion rings kept the crowd well satisfied. With sponsors like Tecate and Patron, you KNOW there was plenty of booze to drink.
For about 200 more race pics from the LBGP, click here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist