Roger Penske and Penske Leisure made large information Thursday morning, that it’s the new proprietor of the Lengthy Seaside Grand Prix.
This comes 5 years after one other shock announcement, that Penske had bought the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar.
By buying the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside, Penske owns each the most important single-day paid sporting occasion on this planet with the Indianapolis 500, and the largest avenue race in North America at Lengthy Seaside.
The fiftieth Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside shall be held on April 13, 2025.
“We’re extremely proud to be the brand new stewards of this cherished and iconic occasion,” mentioned Roger Penske, the chairman of Penske Company. “That is essentially the most historic and prestigious avenue circuit race in North America, and we’re excited to work with Jim Michaelian and his nice staff in Lengthy Seaside to make sure continued success and development over the long run.
“This race and its loyal followers matter a lot to everybody throughout the IndyCar group, and we’re trying ahead to a really particular fiftieth anniversary celebration this April, as nicely.”
Penske Leisure confirmed the acquisition of the Grand Prix Affiliation of Lengthy Seaside, LLC, from longtime proprietor Gerald R. Forsythe. The affiliation administers the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside, the longest-running main avenue circuit race in North America.
The acquisition is anticipated to offer important funding for the marquee NTT IndyCar Collection race, to additional improve this will’t-miss celebration of pace and Southern California motorsport tradition for years to return.
“As we put together to rejoice a really exceptional milestone, the fiftieth anniversary of this superb occasion, it’s becoming that we have now such thrilling and necessary information to share about its future,” mentioned Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside President & CEO Jim Michaelian. “Roger and the staff at Penske Leisure perceive the particular historical past and distinctive qualities that give us such a robust basis and shall be ideally suited companions as we proceed to ship an distinctive race weekend for our followers shifting ahead.
Working alongside the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside staff, Penske Leisure plans to put money into bolstering and enhancing the expertise for race followers, sponsors and hospitality prospects.
“It is a main race weekend, not simply on our calendar however throughout the motorsport panorama,” Penske Leisure President & CEO Mark Miles mentioned. “We’re dedicated to preserving the core attributes that make it greatest in school whereas additionally engaged on some thrilling and daring initiatives to make its future even larger and brighter.”
The three-day weekend repeatedly attracts crowds of over 190,000 individuals to its 1.968-mile race course surrounding the Lengthy Seaside Conference & Leisure Heart. The 2024 version featured a supercharged ambiance, which included the most important attendance within the trendy IndyCar period.
The occasion brings world consideration and constructive financial impression to its house metropolis, whereas additionally sustaining a charitable group – the Grand Prix Basis of Lengthy Seaside – which has donated greater than $4.2 million to these in want throughout the Lengthy Seaside group.
The information marks the continuation of an formidable and productive interval for Penske Leisure, which owns and manages IndyCar and the NTT IndyCar Collection. In September, the group introduced the institution of the primary constitution system in IndyCar’s historical past, offering NTT IndyCar Collection homeowners significant and enhanced worth throughout their entries.
In October, Penske Leisure unveiled the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington, powered by way of a first-of-its-kind three way partnership with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.