Long Beach GP Update
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| Rossi takes win at Long Beach in 2018. The race, still on NBCSN, still does not have a title sponsor to replace Toyota |
Here is the latest news about the 2019 Grand Prix of Long Beach.
2019 INDYCAR SERIES FIELD TAKING SHAPE
The field for the 2019 IndyCar Series, which will be the headline event for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, is taking shape with a number of veteran drivers remaining in place and some newcomers joining the fray. At present, there are 22 team/driver combinations confirmed with potential for more to be announced in the coming months.
Here’s a brief look, team-by-team:
A.J. Foyt Racing – Popular veteran Tony Kanaan and second-year driver Matheus Leist return.
Andretti Autosport – Returns all four of its drivers: Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, defending Long Beach winner Alexander Rossi and Zach Veach.
Carlin – Drivers Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball return for 2019.
Chip Ganassi Racing – Five-time (and defending) Series champion Scott Dixon will be joined by rookie Felix Rosenqvist, a veteran of the Formula E Series.
Dale Coyne Racing – Three-time Long Beach winner Sebastien Bourdais will pair up with a to-be-announced second driver.
Ed Carpenter Racing – Ed Jones comes over from Ganassi to drive road/street courses along with returning full-time driver Spencer Pigot.
Harding/Steinbrenner Racing – A new partnership at open wheel racing’s top level, the team has announced that 18-year-old Colton Herta and 19-year-old Patricio O’Ward will run full-time.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing – Returns Graham Rahal and 2013 Long Beach winner Takuma Sato.
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports – 2017 Long Beach winner James Hinchcliffe returns with just-announced rookie Marcus Ericsson, who is coming over from the Sauber team in Formula One.
Team Penske – Returns its three drivers from last season: Josef Newgarden and Long Beach winners Simon Pagenaud and Will Power.
The 2019 IndyCar Series gets underway with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 8-10.
HISTORIC IMSA GTO CHALLENGE NEW FOR 2019!
With IMSA celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, Grand Prix spectators on Sat., April 13, will see historic sports cars from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s battle in the Historic IMSA GTO Challenge, taking place at approximately noon.
The GTO cars (“O" designating engines over 2.5 liters in size) raced as part of the overall IMSA GT division from 1971-94, and featured marques such as Chevrolet Corvette, Shelby Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Nissan 280zx and 300zx, Toyota Celica and many others.
FINISH LINES: The 2019 BUBBA burger SportsCar Grand Prix field will feature two prototype classes, DPi and LMP2, along with the GTLM (GT Le Mans) class…Tickets are on sale now at gplb.com or by calling (888) 827-7333.
You can select and pay for your 2019 Grand Prix of Long Beach seats, parking and paddock passes online at gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 827-7333. A printed ticket brochure that includes a circuit map, ticket prices, order form and other information is also available.