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Toyota Grand Prix kicks off in Long Beach
File: Simon Pagenaud was the winner of the 42nd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 17, 2016 in Long Beach, California.
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Streets are closed in Long Beach today to make way for the headline event of the Toyota Grand Prix.
The popular IndyCar series takes off at 1:30 p.m on a circuit around the Long Beach convention center. About 75,000 people are expected at the 43rd annual race.
The Long Beach Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious races, after the Indianapolis 500.
The 21-driver field consists of entrants from 11 nations. For the third year in a row, Brazilian Helio Castroneves will start from the pole. New Zealander Scott Dixon will start second for the second consecutive year.
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Organizers have been working to create a festival environment around the three days of races. Since Friday, attendees have been able to access exhibits and entertainment at and around the convention center, where the race takes place.
A concert, Friday, featured Billy Idol, Billy Gibbons and Linkin Park's Chester Bennington. There’s go-kart racing for the general public and a few race-inspired activities for kids. One of Sunday’s highlights will be an exotic car show.
Off Ramp's Jesus Ambrosio spoke to Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Kendall, who raced the Long Beach Grand Prix eight times over his career. He first raced it when he was 19 years old.
"At that point you are nothing but trouble if you drive too fast," Tommy says. "The thought of driving on public streets and having the police hold the crowd back rather than write me a ticket was so odd, and so wonderful."
He added, "It’s as much adrenaline as you could probably experience. A lot of it has to do with speed. But the real action isn’t the miles per hour; it’s making the car dance on a limit. That’s really what gets you going after you have been exposed to it."
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