The iconic streets of Long Beach are back and with them, one of the most coveted victories in all of IndyCar.
Few races on the calendar carry the same weight. The Grand Prix of Long Beach has been a staple since 1984, making it the second-longest running event in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. It’s a race defined by history, precision, and unforgiving concrete walls. Winning here demands absolute focus and elite car control and that’s exactly why every driver wants it.
This weekend, the stage is set for another chapter.
Andretti strength and the risk of predictability
If there’s one team that has turned Long Beach into familiar territory, it’s Andretti Global.
The Andretti name has long been synonymous with success on these streets. Mario Andretti claimed four victories here, while Michael Andretti added two more. As a team, Andretti Global shares the all-time record of seven wins with Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing.
More telling is their recent form. Five of those wins have come since 2018, including two from Kyle Kirkwood, who has firmly established himself as the modern “King of Long Beach.”
Kirkwood has won two of the last three races here, both from pole, and arrives this weekend leading the championship. His record on street circuits is hard to ignore: five of his six IndyCar victories have come on this type of track.
If there’s anyone expected to “hold serve” this weekend, it’s him.
Still, Andretti’s strength runs deeper than a single driver. Will Power, who took his first IndyCar win here in 2008, remains a threat, while Marcus Ericsson, now in competitive machinery, could quietly emerge as a dark horse after his 2022 podium.
Palou chasing the final piece
For Alex Palou, Long Beach represents something unusual: unfinished business.
Despite his dominance in recent seasons, this is the only non-oval track on the current calendar where he has yet to win. That absence stands out for a driver who has otherwise built one of the most complete résumés in the series.
Palou arrives in familiar form. Since joining Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021, he has been the benchmark on road courses, collecting 16 victories on those layouts. While street circuits haven’t been his primary domain, he has still been remarkably consistent at Long Beach, finishing in the top five in each of his last five appearances.
Last year’s second-place finish, behind Kirkwood, suggests he’s getting closer.
If Kirkwood is the man to beat on street circuits, Palou is the one most likely to disrupt that narrative.
Long Beach has a habit of rewriting expectations, particularly when it comes to qualifying.
Despite the prestige of pole position, history suggests it’s far from a guarantee of success. Only six drivers have ever converted pole into victory here. While recent winners like Kirkwood have done exactly that, the broader trend tells a different story: pole sitters have just as often faded down the order as they have stood on the podium.
Street circuits amplify risk. One mistake, one poorly timed caution, or one strategic misstep can undo an entire weekend.
If qualifying doesn’t define Long Beach, consistency does.
Kirkwood is the only driver to finish inside the top five in all four races so far this season, underlining both his form and his adaptability. But he’s far from alone in showing consistency. Drivers like Christian Lundgaard, Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward have all demonstrated the ability to stay in the fight across varying conditions.
And in a race like Long Beach, staying in the fight is often enough.
History supports that idea. Legends like Al Unser Jr., the most successful driver here with six wins, built their success not just on speed, but on control, patience, and timing.
Beyond the headline battle, there are quieter narratives developing deeper in the field.
Rinus VeeKay has been one of the standout performers on street circuits this season. Despite sitting just 16th in the overall standings, his street course results tell a different story, he’s only a single point away from the top 10 in that category.
Driving for Juncos Hollinger Racing, VeeKay has consistently outperformed expectations, making him one to watch as the race unfolds.
What to expect this weekend
Long Beach rarely delivers a straightforward narrative. The tight, technical layout rewards precision but punishes overconfidence. Strategy, tire management, and timing often matter as much as outright pace.
The early championship battle adds another layer. With Kirkwood holding a narrow advantage over Palou, the dynamic resembles a tennis match: one player trying to hold serve, the other looking for the smallest opening to break. Behind them, a deep field of contenders is ready to capitalize on any mistake.
That’s what makes Long Beach special. It’s about execution under pressure over 85 relentless laps, with no margin for error.
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written by Carlos Faria // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
