Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach 2026 Recap: Speed, History, and a Champion on the Rise

Four Days of World-Class Racing in the Heart of Southern California

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach returned April 16 through 19, 2026, transforming downtown Long Beach into one of the most celebrated temporary street circuits in North America. From the opening Walk of Fame ceremony on Thursday through the final checkered flag on Sunday afternoon, the weekend packed in racing, concerts, and fan activities from start to finish. Big crowds filled the venue across all four days.

The Long Beach Street Circuit Experience

The 1.968-mile, 11-turn street circuit in downtown Long Beach is one of motorsport’s most iconic layouts. Fans experienced racing up close at 300 E. Ocean Blvd in a way that permanent tracks simply cannot match.

Beyond the track, the Grand Prix footprint offered interactive fan experiences, car showcases, autograph sessions, a Lifestyle Expo, and a full slate of food and beverage options throughout the weekend.

The Weekend Kicked Off with History on Thursday

Before a single car turned a wheel, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach honored two of the event’s own on Thursday. Alexander Rossi and former Mayor Bob Foster were inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame in a ceremony on S. Pine Avenue in front of the Convention Center. Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets followed that evening, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Friday Brought Qualifying, Drifting, and Lupe Fiasco

Friday opened spectator gates at 7:30 a.m. and got through practice sessions for Porsche Carrera Cup, Historic Sports Cars, IMSA, Stadium SUPER Trucks, and NTT INDYCAR SERIES before the day turned into a full evening of entertainment.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES held an All-Driver Autograph Session at the Grand Ballroom of the Convention Center. IMSA Qualifying and Porsche Carrera Cup Qualifying wrapped up the competitive action for the day.

As the sun went down, Super Drift Challenge opened its first session on track while Lupe Fiasco headlined the Friday Night Concert Presented by Acura.

Saturday: IMSA History, Qualifying Drama, and Kings of Chaos

Saturday was the busiest day of the weekend. Historic Sports Car Challenge opened the morning, followed by Porsche Carrera Cup Race No. 1 and a second INDYCAR practice session.

The centerpiece of the day was the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix, Round 3 of the 2026 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, driving the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian, won the 100-minute race by just 0.818 of a second. The victory ended a 17-year IMSA win drought for Acura at Long Beach, the last coming back in 2009. It was van der Zande’s third Long Beach IMSA win in five years and his sixth IMSA street race win in the last ten.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying and the Firestone Fast 6 followed in the afternoon, with Stadium SUPER Trucks Race No. 1 closing out the on-track action.

Saturday night belonged to Kings of Chaos, featuring LIVE’s Ed Kowalczyk, 311’s Nick Hexum, and Aloe Blacc on the concert stage. Super Drift Challenge ran its second session alongside the concert.

Sunday: Palou Claims the Win in 60 Laps

Sunday’s schedule ran from the Historic Sports Car Challenge No. 2 in the morning through Porsche Carrera Cup Race No. 2 and Stadium SUPER Trucks Race No. 2 before the main event.

The Mornings CARnival Car Parade preceded an extended pre-race ceremony before the green flag dropped at 2:45 p.m.

Alex Palou delivered the performance of the weekend. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver claimed his first-ever win at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Round 5 of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The win was Palou’s third in five races this season and moved him 17 points clear at the top of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship standings.

A Full Weekend of Racing Disciplines

Across the four days, six different racing series competed on the Long Beach street circuit: NTT INDYCAR SERIES, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Stadium SUPER Trucks, Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge, and Historic Sports Cars. Each series brought its own fan base and its own brand of competition, keeping the grandstands engaged throughout the entire weekend.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach delivered on every front. Palou leaves as the championship leader. Van der Zande and Yelloly closed a 17-year chapter for Acura in IMSA. The concerts, ceremonies, and support racing filled every corner of the weekend schedule. For those who missed it, the 2027 event will return to the same streets of downtown Long Beach.