IndyCar News: McLaren M16 to lap at Acura GP of Long Beach

McLaren Racing celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first Indy 500 victory with a historic revival of the winning car at the Grand Prix of Long Beach next weekend (April 19-21).

Johnny Rutherford made history in 1974 as McLaren Racing’s first Indy 500 winner, charging through the field in his M16 from starting in 25th, which was the biggest move to the front a race winner achieved at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since Louis Meyer in 1936.

Fifty years later, the M16 will be piloted by another legendary racer in Tony Kanaan in the Historic Motor Sports Association sessions across the race weekend.

Session times include:

Friday, April 19 – 10:15 a.m. PT

Saturday, April 20 – 7:40 a.m. PT & 10:40 a.m. PT

Sunday, April 21 – 10:45 a.m. PT

Tony, who retired in 2023 after racing his final Indy 500 in the No. 66 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, is now Sporting Director for the team and reigns as the 2013 Indy 500 winner.

Johnny, a three-time Indy 500 winner (’74, ’76 and ’80) and 24-time race champion, is unable to be in Long Beach but will see the M16 return to the IMS in May as the car will run once more in the historic session ahead of the Indy 500 race on May 26.

Johnny Rutherford, Three-time Indy 500 Winner, McLaren Racing, said:

“This will be fantastic to see my car back on track this year. It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years; it feels like just yesterday I was celebrating that first win on the yard of bricks. I’m looking forward to being back in Indy in May and imagine it will be quite special to see the M16 cross the bricks again.”

Tony Kanaan, Sporting Director, Arrow McLaren, said:

“It’s an honor to drive the M16, knowing the meaning it has to McLaren Racing. Johnny was one of the greatest racers in the sport, so to be able to share this experience with him is really cool. It will be a busy weekend next week in Long Beach, but I would have made time for this no matter what.”