This big question surrounding this weekends visit to the streets of Long Beach is who will emerge as this weekends winner? The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a semi technical race featuring multiple wide open straights and the tight technical turns you’d typically see on a street circuit. Given the limitations with track width and multiple corners the drivers have to navigate specific challenges not typically associated with the circle track races.
Kyle Kirkwood is looking to repeat his result from 2023 to secure a win for Andretti Global. Josef Newgarden currently leads the championship after a solid performance at St. Pete. However, with Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin on the hunt this weekends outcome could be a bit less straight forward. Long Beach is one of those circuits where the cars slowly develop over the course of the race. If last years race was any indication of this year. The race will come down to the wire. Kirkwood won the race last year after starting from 20th. Tire management and race strategy will come into play especially as temperature rise this weekend.
For the Fans
Thursday evening will feature the Thunder Pit Stop Challenge where teams will go head-to-head in a two-round event in front of the grandstands between Turns 5 and 6. McLaughlin of Team Penske against Marcus Armstrong of Chip Ganassi Racing in the first semifinal and Santino Ferrucci of AJ Foyt Racing against Ericsson of Andretti Global in the second. The winners will meet for the championship.
2024 Spotters Guide
Full Race Weekend Schedule
Friday, Apr 19
Practice 1 5:50 PM – 7:05 PM ET
Saturday, Apr 20
Practice 2 11:25 AM – 12:25 PM ET
Qualifications – Round 1 Group 1 2:25 PM – 2:35 PM ET
Qualifications – Round 1 Group 2 2:50 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Qualifications – Round 2 3:15 PM – 3:25 PM ET
Qualifications – Firestone Fast 6 3:40 PM – 3:55 PM ET
Sunday, Apr 21
Warmup 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM ET
Race 3:30 PM – 5:45 PM ET