By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio

Penske Entertainment tightened its grip on INDYCAR and the NTT IndyCar Series with the recent acquisition of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC, from longtime owner Gerald R. Forsythe.

Announced on Nov. 14 as part of Penske Entertainment’s self-described “ambitious INDYCAR growth agenda,” the GPA has overseen the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach _ domestic open-wheel racing’s crown-jewel street event. The race’s landmark 50^th edition is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2025 with network television coverage provided by new series partner FOX Sports.

“We’re incredibly proud to be the new stewards of this cherished and iconic event,” Roger S. Penske, chairman, Penske Corporation, said in a news release. A subsidiary of Penske Corporation, Penske Entertainment owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NTT IndyCar Series and IMS Productions.

“This is the most historic and prestigious street circuit race in North America,” Penske said. “We’re excited to work with Jim Michaelian and his great team in Long Beach to ensure continued success and growth over the long term. This race and its loyal fans matter so much to everyone across the INDYCAR community, and we’re looking forward to a very special 50th anniversary celebration this April, as well.”

Acquisition of the Long Beach event continues an aggressive offseason for Penske Entertainment. In September, the organization announced establishment of the first charter system in INDYCAR history, a move intended to provide NTT IndyCar Series owners enhanced value across their entries.

In October, Penske Entertainment unveiled plans for the inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington (Texas) in March 2026 _ a street race featuring a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.

Motorsports icon Mario Andretti won the first INDYCAR event on Long Beach’s 1.968-mile/11-turn temporary circuit on April 1, 1984, under sanction of the Championship Auto Racing Teams. Subsequent races have been sanctioned by Champ Car, the Indy Racing League and INDYCAR. The list of race-winning international drivers includes six-time champion Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti, Alex Zanardi of Italy, Canadian Paul Tracy, Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais, Will Power of Australia and Alexander Rossi.

“As we prepare to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone, the 50th anniversary of this amazing event, it’s fitting that we have such exciting and important news to share about its future,” said Michaelian, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach president/CEO. “Roger and the team at Penske Entertainment understand the special history and unique qualities that give us such a strong foundation and will be ideal partners as we continue to deliver an exceptional race weekend for our fans moving forward.

“I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution that the previous owners, Jerry Forsythe and the late Kevin Kalkhoven, made to the success of our event over the past 19 years.”

Penske’s acquisition solidifies the race’s future in the coveted Los Angeles/Southern California TV market. Working alongside the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach team, Penske Entertainment plans to invest in bolstering and enhancing the experience for race fans, sponsors and hospitality customers.

“This is a major race weekend, not just on our calendar but across the motorsport landscape,” said Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment president/CEO. “We’re committed to preserving the core attributes that make it best-in-class while also working on some exciting and bold initiatives to make its future even bigger and brighter.”

The three-day weekend regularly attracts crowds of over 190,000 spectators to the course surrounding the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. The 2024 edition _ won by six-time series champion Scott Dixon of New Zealand and Chip Ganassi Racing _ featured the largest attendance in the modern INDYCAR era. The event brings global attention and positive economic impact to its home city while also maintaining a charitable organization _ the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach _ which has donated more than $4.2-million to those in need within the community.

“The Grand Prix is an incredibly vital and vibrant asset for our community and an annual event that drives commerce, attracts tourism and elevates cultural connectivity across our city,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said. “Penske Entertainment will be a committed and energetic partner for the future that seeks to preserve and enhance this event’s rich history and strong legacy. We’re looking forward to a great working relationship that benefits everyone who calls Long Beach home.”

Meanwhile, confirmation of the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington on Oct. 7 effectively ended the sanctioning body’s colorful and controversial 27-year history at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. The event planned for Arlington’s Entertainment District is a collaboration among Penske Entertainment, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment _ official events partner of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

A 2.73-mile course will be constructed against the backdrop of a pair of sporting venues recognized by fans around the world _ AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers. The track will weave through Arlington’s core sports and entertainment district, which annually sells more than 1.6-million tickets to spectators.

Planning and preparation for the race weekend is underway, with veteran motorsport industry executive Bill Miller announced as president of the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington. Miller brings more than three decades of experience to the role, including previously serving as president of California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and senior vice president of operations at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a leading worldwide voice for more than 7,000 companies in the automotive aftermarket.

INDYCAR’s move to Arlington represented a fatal blow to TMS and parent company Speedway Motorsports. TMS’ high-banked/1.5-mile oval was dropped from the NTT IndyCar Series’ 17-race schedule in 2024 after a run that began under President/General Manager Eddie Gossage during the track’s initial season in 1997.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won the series’ PPG 375 at TMS on April 1, 2023 _ first race of a reported new, three-year contract between sanctioning body INDYCAR and Speedway Motorsports. However, no mention of TMS’ exit, or the contract, was included in the official INDYCAR release announcing the 2024 schedule.

Armed with that new, three-year contract and a largely positive vibe emanating from the paddock, TMS was poised to continue its position as the “Second Home of INDYCAR Racing.” That tag was among several marketing brands developed by Gossage, TMS’ first president/general manager and promoter extraordinaire, during his 25-year tenure.

Noting that NASCAR had moved its race weekend date from September to April in 2024, TMS Executive Vice President/General Manager Mark Faber said track management and INDYCAR were unable to reach an agreement on a date that worked for both parties.

“INDYCAR had a rich and storied history at Texas Motor Speedway for nearly 30 years,” Faber told racedaySA.com, “beginning with the post-race fireworks with A.J. Foyt and Arie Luyendyk after the inaugural race in 1997 and concluding with Josef Newgarden’s spectacular last-lap, last-turn pass for the win in 2023. There will always be a special place in the hearts of our race fans for INDYCAR at Texas Motor Speedway.

“INDYCAR’s move toward more temporary street circuits in 2026 in no way affects our commitment to provide Texas Motor Speedway race fans with the best in motorsports and entertainment opportunities at one of the premier venues in the world.”

INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel series, the NTT IndyCar Series, and its developmental series, INDY NXT. The NTT IndyCar Series features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road-courses across the United States and Canada.

Beginning in 2025, FOX Sports will be the exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, providing a network broadcast via FOX of all 17 series races. The NTT IndyCar Series is the only premier motorsports series in the U.S. to broadcast every race on network television.

Gavin Ward’s two-year tenure as Arrow McLaren Team Principal officially ended on Nov. 18. Ward’s departure was announced as a “mutual and strategic decision” as the team positions itself for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season.

“I want to thank Gavin for the time he gave to our Arrow McLaren team the past two seasons,” Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said in a news release. “We’ve grown significantly from where we were when he joined the team in 2022, and he was a big part of that transformation. We have a strong team in place, having grown this offseason, and we’re fired-up heading into 2025 to fight for race wins and championships.” 

Arrow McLaren has invested in additional talent this offseason and will continue to strengthen and develop its leadership team of Tony Kanaan, Brian Barnhart, Scott Harner, Nick Snyder, Brad O’Brien, Lauren Gaudion and Sophie Markakis-Smith.

“I leave Arrow McLaren after two years developing a people-first culture set to topple the 20-year domination of INDYCAR’s championship teams,” Ward said. “We’ve made major strides during my tenure. Our 2024 INDYCAR season delivered the team’s most-ever race wins, and we came within two turns of victory in the Indianapolis 500.”

Pato O’Ward, a native of Mexico with family ties to San Antonio, finished second on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval on Sunday, May 26, to two-time race-winner Josef Newgarden of Team Penske.

“Arrow McLaren is positioned for further success _ with a stable driver lineup, significant offseason recruitment and thoughtful organizational changes,” Ward said. “I wish my former colleagues well and hope our work together leads to more wins on and off the track. I plan to spend some time at home with my wonderful wife and two daughters while I evaluate what’s next in my career.”

McLaren Racing was founded by racing driver/constructor Bruce McLaren of New Zealand in 1963. The team entered its first Formula One race in 1966. Team McLaren has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, including victories by Fort Worth’s Johnny Rutherford in 1974 and 1976.

Final 2024 NTT IndyCar Series point standings _ 1, Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, 544; 2, Colton Herta, Andretti Global, 513; 3, Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske, 505; 4, Will Power, Team Penske, 498; 5, Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, 460; 6, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing, 456; 7, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, 420; 8, Josef Newgarden, Team Penske, 401; 9, Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt Racing, 367; 10, Alexander Rossi, Arrow McLaren, 366;

11, Christian Lundgaard, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 312; 12, Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, 306; 13, Rinus VeeKay, Ed Carpenter Racing, 300; 14, Marcus Armstrong, Chip Ganassi Racing, 298; 15, Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global, 297; 16, Linus Lundqvist, Chip Ganassi Racing, 279; 17, Romain Grosjean, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 260; 18, Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 251; 19, Pietro Fittipaldi, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 186; 20, Sting Ray Robb, A.J. Foyt Racing, 185;

21, Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing, 182; 22, Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing, 163; 23, Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren, 154; 24, David Malukas, Meyer Shank Racing, 148; 25, Jack Harvey, Dale Coyne Racing, 143; 26, Conor Daly, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 119; 27, Augustin Canapino, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 109; 28, Theo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren, 91; 29, Katherine Legge, Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing, 61; 30, Tom Blomqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, 46;

31, Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing, 45; 32, Toby Sowery, Dale Coyne Racing, 45; 33, Callum Ilott, Arrow McLaren, 39; 34, Luca Ghiotto, Dale Coyne Racing, 27; 35, Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing, 26; 36, Kyle Larson, Hendrickcars.com Arrow McLaren, 21; 37, Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 19; 38, Tristan Vautier, Dale Coyne Racing, 12; 39, Juri Vips, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 11; 40, Colin Braun, Dale Coyne Racing, 10;

41, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-Cusick Motorsports, 6; 42, Hunter McElrea, Dale Coyne Racing, 6; 43, Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb Agajanian, 5.