Grand Prix Of Long Beach Gets New Ownership, Commits To IndyCar Amid NASCAR Interest
Longtime Grand Prix of Long Beach co-owner Gerald Forsythe has taken control of the event after purchasing the half previously owned by the late Kevin Kalkhoven.
The pair purchased the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach together in 2005 and its future as an IndyCar event had been uncertain since Kalkhoven’s death in 2022.
Forsthye has now confirmed Kalkhoven’s estate has agreed to sell him the stake amid reports of interest from Formula One, NASCAR and IndyCar itself.
“If [any series] has its sights on Long Beach please tell them to look elsewhere,” Forsythe told Racer. “This [is] an IndyCar event, and it will be into the future.â€
INDYCAR BANS INDY 500-WINNING MOVE
The Grand Prix of Long Beach has been one of IndyCar’s marquee events, along with the Indy 500, since it replaced Formula One in 1984.
The IndyCar series will visit the street circuit on the weekend of April 21 along with the IMSA sports car series, which is owned by NASCAR.
NASCAR has been looking for a venue in Southern California to hold a Cup Series race while the future of the now-demolished former Auto Club Speedway in Fontana is determined.
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It has held the pre-season Busch Light Clash exhibition event on a temporary quarter-mile track built inside of the L.A. Coliseum for the past three seasons, but it is not expected to return next year.
NASCAR has reportedly been in discussions with the owners of Dodger Stadium about holding a race there, but has only confirmed that it is talking with several potential locations in the area.
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