The FanAmp Team attended the IndyCar Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach - here's what we saw, from driver meet and greets to sweeping grandstand views and all the best kept secrets.
Through and through, I am a Formula 1 fan, but as we all know Formula 1 races, especially in the United States are extremely expensive. However, in America we have a high action, low cost, and significantly more accessible alternative - IndyCar. It only took watching their season opener at St. Petersburg earlier this year for me to want to learn everything about IndyCar. So, that’s exactly what I did.
My team at FanAmp - the global hub for F1 and IndyCar fans to connect, chat, follow news, and more - partnered with IndyCar to attend the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. We had one goal in mind: Show Formula 1 fans the experience of an IndyCar race - showcasing the accessibility, affordability, and the faces that make the series so special.
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Before we get into the details of the actual grand prix experience - getting to and from the circuit, as well as where to stay in Southern California is something important to note.
The Long Beach IndyCar race is a street track, held around the Convention Center area of Downtown Long Beach. Personally, I stayed in Los Angeles, while Greg stayed in Redondo Beach. Both of these areas are north of Downtown Long Beach - where the race is held. Our commute took about 20 - 30 minutes each way. Why is this important you may ask? Los Angeles is INFAMOUS for traffic. If you choose a location north of Long Beach (or in Long Beach itself), you will avoid the rush hour traffic heading towards Downtown Los Angeles.
That being said, if you are planning on attending the Long Beach Grand Prix, you should consider renting a car or relying on Rideshare apps. Unlike large F1 races, there are not many shuttle or public transportation options available. If you DO choose to rent a car, there are several parking options in Downtown Long Beach that you can reserve in advance! We paid $45 in parking for all 4 days that we were at the track.
*Note: If you choose to stay in Long Beach, the city is very walkable and there are Lime and Bird electric scooters available, as well as a small metro network to take you to the track*
We were lucky enough to be attending Long Beach as ‘media’ through IndyCar, however, a lot of the things that we were able to do are accessible to nearly anyone. I will be harping on accessibility throughout this entire article because that’s what truly makes IndyCar races so special.
On Thursday, we arrived at the track in the morning around 10 AM to pick up our media credentials and filming vests from the media center. At the Long Beach street track, the media and operations center for the entire race (from photographers, to stewards) is in the convention center. Our two goals for the day were to get photos of the entire track, from every vantage point and seating option that fans can purchase (ARTICLE COMING SOON).
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We began the day by walking the entire track on either side of the fencing to capture vantage points and familiarize ourselves with the space. During this time, the general public was also allowed on the grounds with many team members and the general public opting to jog the circuit and explore the track. Many vendors were also setting up and the teams were beginning to erect their pit boxes.
After our track walk, a perk of our media passes was access to the IndyCar Paddock (support series paddocks were open to the public). While we had special access on Thursday, at most IndyCar races Paddock and Pit pass upgrades are available throughout the weekend. For Long Beach, the upgrades were only $30 (in addition to your ticket). Meaning ANYONE who wants access to the paddock can have it!
During the time in the paddock on Thursday, we spent some time with Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. Not only did he ‘take over’ the FanAmp app to answer some of your IndyCar Questions, but he did the Thirsty 3’s Challenge with us!
In the afternoon, drivers and their teams do a track walk, so during that time we caught up with Jack Harvey to chat about the track, his driving experience, and walk around the famous Long Beach Hairpin! This was an amazing way to end our day - getting to know Jack with hilarious cameos from other drivers on their track walk (like Scott Dixon, the eventual winner!)
Friday is the first day that the track is ‘ticketed’ and only open to those who have purchased tickets. There are many activities for both media and for fans throughout the day. With any ticket you can purchase a paddock/ pit pass upgrade.
For the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, there is only one official session on Friday of IndyCar (there are a number of support series sessions including IMSA, Super Trucks, and Historic Indy). This leaves the drivers time to interface with sponsors, meet fans, have engineering meetings, and participate in media duties. That being said, drivers are everywhere around the track - not just in the paddock.
During the Media day, we were given the opportunity to interview a handful of drivers in the Media Pen alongside other publications from NBC to IndyCar content creators. Essentially what you see in F1 broadcasts - drivers in a literal pen surrounded by reporters that they rotate through? That’s exactly what this was… We were able to get face-time with some IndyCar favorites like Pato O’Ward, Romain Grosjean, and Josef Newgarden.
After the Media pen (that only features about half of the grid), we headed back to the paddock to shoot a video with motorsports favorite, Marcus Armstrong.
VIDEO COMING SOON
Friday was the first day that the Fan Zone and vendor areas were open to the public. So, while everyone may not have access to the media activities, you won’t be short on entertainment! Not only were there dozens of stands selling various refreshments (the best refreshments I’ve seen at a race ever, in my opinion), there were dozens more selling merch, toys, and so much more… They even had stands selling F1 Merch! You could purchase Ferrari, RedBull, Mercedes, and McLaren merch alongside your IndyCar merch!
There was even a live DJ in the welcome plaza the ENTIRE time we were at the circuit. I genuinely am unsure that he went home…
Something that our team didn't have time to enjoy, but was a fan favorite for many of the race-goers, was the Long Beach Expo inside of the Convention Center! There were activities for race fans from children to seasoned adults. Pit stop challenges, driving simulators, bouncy houses, and more!
Friday at many IndyCar Races is referred to as ‘free Friday’ - meaning you can pretty much watch from anywhere that your ticket allows because security is very relaxed.
If you DO have a paddock/pit pass ($30 upgrade at Long Beach) I highly recommend going to the exit of the paddock into the pits because you will see EVERY CAR and EVERY DRIVER walk (be wheeled) right past you! I could’ve reached out and grabbed a car at every turn while walking to the pits.
Our team chose to watch from various vantage points from around the circuit. We began in the pits, where you can stand along the sidewalk or next to various pit boxes along the very long pit lane and watch pit stops or teams working on the cars. If you do have a grandstand ticket or general admission ticket, you truly have a better view of the circuit, though. We moved to watch the rest of the session from the Hairpin to catch some action.
One great feature of this circuit is that its VERY easy to get around. There are pedestrian bridges everywhere, as well as egress points around every corner. Even getting from one end of the track to the other should only take about 10 -15 minutes.
*Note: With our media passes, we were allowed into photo holes IN the track with official photographers. This is reserved for those who apply for credentials.*
After Free Practice 1, the drivers and their cars are brought into the paddock to debrief before one of the most exciting parts of the weekend for most fans…
From 5 - 6 PM EVERY fan regardless of ticket type can enter the paddock to meet any driver they desire. You heard that right…. EVERY FAN and EVERY DRIVER.
We entered the paddock to chat with some of these fans who were rocking various team merch, had everything from photo cards to model cars for the drivers to sign, and were just EXCITED. Each team had a separate line for the fans to meet their favorite drivers (i.e. Arrow McLaren’s line was for Pato O’Ward, David Malukas, Alexander Rossi, Theo Pourchaire).
Remember when I said I’d harp about access… THIS is what I meant.
We also found some very excited fans and FanAmp users to reward with free Pit Pass Upgrades for Saturday!
We left the track after interviewing fans in the paddock, but there was also a free concert for racegoers that evening in the welcome plaza!
Saturday is a much earlier and much busier day than Friday on the track. There are many activities for fans throughout the day, but expect longer lines. With any ticket you can purchase a paddock/ pit pass upgrade.
Saturday was a very very early morning for not only fans, but media and drivers/ teams. One thing to keep in mind for IndyCar is that most of the session times are optimized for the Eastern Time Zone. That being said, sessions on Saturday started at 8:20 AM.
I spent Free Practice 2 commuting to the track, and by the time we arrived around, 9:00 AM, it appeared that most fans had the same idea as us - skipping FP2 to explore the track and eat before Qualifying. Greg from our team did spend FP2 in the pits and spent time at Scott McLaughlin's pit box.
We spent the next couple of hours before qualifying interviewing fans around the track and paddock. It was very clear that there were at least double the numbers compared to Friday. If you don’t want to wait in lines to enter the track or the paddock (with pit pass upgrades), plan to arrive during FP2!
Qualifying began at 11:25 AM, so we headed to the paddock and pits at around 11:00 AM. If you want to see the cars and drivers before qualifying, they will all be heading to the pit lane at around this time!
One of the best pro-tips that I learned throughout the weekend was which pit box to watch the race from. About ⅓ of the way down the pit lane - there are 2 pit boxes: NTT Data (IndyCar Series Sponsor) and Firestone (Series Sponsor). Each of these boxes feature race feeds, tire temperature data, and VERY detailed timing sheets. I was firmly planted at the Firestone Pit Box for both Qualifying and the Race.
This was also a spot directly next to Theo Pourchaire/ David Malukas’ pit box. During Qualifying I was lucky enough to watch the session next to David Malukas and the one and only Zak Brown.
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Naturally, not everyone has pit lane access, but the grandstands have amazing views of the track (especially 24 - 26). Even better yet, general admission means you can stand or sit ANYWHERE on the track - so you can get any view that you want, directly against the fencing. There are TV screens and speakers in most popular viewing locations, so if you have GA - find a spot with a view of the TV.
Qualifying and the Fast 6 ended at 12:30 PM, and after watching the cars and drivers return to the paddock we decided to head into GA to watch IMSA!
*Note: After the qualifying session, drivers are walking around the paddock and will gladly stop to meet fans. They also do a driver meeting in the Media Center. Just remember to be respectful of their time and space*
For the support series, the track security is much more lenient. You are able to sit or stand nearly anywhere as long as you are not taking someone’s seat! We left the track at around 2PM, after watching 30 minutes of the IMSA race.
Sunday is the busiest day on the track. There are many activities for fans throughout the day, but expect long lines. With any ticket you can purchase a paddock pass upgrade, but this will absolutely not allow you into the pits during the race.
At Long Beach, as with many other IndyCar Races, the race day begins a few hours before the race start with the 30 minute warm up and inspection time. I was not present for the warm-up, but this is a great opportunity to see cars on track prior to the chaos of the crowds on race day. Greg from our team did attend and reported that it was a great time to enjoy the track with smaller crowds.
We arrived to the track at 10AM, just after the warm up had concluded and headed for the media center to pick up our Grid Walk passes.
Similarly to many other racing series, about 45 minutes before the race, the grid walk and drivers parade begins. At Long Beach, this was around 11:45 AM with the festivities concluding at 12:35 PM.
If you want to get a view of your favorite drivers, get to your seats before the parade begins! If you are in the grandstands or general admission area facing the pits, you’ll be able to see the drivers on stage, doing introductions.
During this time, we were lucky enough to be able to walk the grid along with the teams setting up their respective cars, and later the drivers. While this may appear very luxurious and exciting on TV... the grid was absolutely packed and there was no room to take photos, let alone have conversations or move around.
The Race began at 12:35 PM, so we headed to the pits from the grid at 12:25 PM to claim our spots at the Firestone pit box (see Qualifying Section on Saturday). The race began with the national anthem, a prayer, and the famous ‘driver’s start your engines’!
Yet again, this spot was directly next to Theo Pourchaire/ David Malukas’ pit box. During this session, I was again next to David Malukas and IndyCar legend Tony Kanaan. One thing to note is that EVERYONE except for media and team personnel are not allowed in the pits on race day. So the pits were VERY empty this day. I will say -watching a pit stop in real time was INCREDIBLE.
Again, the grandstands have amazing views of the track (especially 24 - 26 at the hairpin). Even better yet, general admission means you can stand or sit ANYWHERE on the track - so you can get any view that you want, directly against the fencing. There are TV screens and speakers in most popular viewing locations, so if you have GA - find a spot with a view of the TV.
Fans cannot attend the actual Podium Celebration, but it is broadcast on all of the TV screens around the circuit.
With my team’s media badges, we were able to go to the podium and watch Scott Dixon pull into victory lane as well as all of the confetti and champagne celebrations.
Many fans used this time to exit the circuit quickly to avoid traffic before returning home. Although there are dozens of restaurants near the circuit if you want a quick bite before going home!
Thank you for following along on this experience with the FanAmp Team! We hope to see you at future IndyCar Races!
1. Want to learn more about the IndyCar Grid? IndyCar Grid Guide
2. Want to learn about attending an IndyCar Race? Fan Guide: IndyCar Tickets
3. Already an IndyCar fan and want somewhere to connect with other fans? Join our Track Talk Base