Scott Dixon wins thrilling Grand Prix of Long Beach in climax to three-day party – Daily News

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The main event didn’t disappoint.

The finale of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach built upon the moment of its first two days, with thousands milling about the downtown concourse, cooling off inside the air-conditioned lifestyle expo on a sunny Southern California day and packing the grandstands.

The Sunday crowds added to what was a record 194,000 visitors total over the three-day event, according to the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

“The weekend turned out to be a very successful one,” said association President and CEO Jim Michaelian, “with great weather, competitive races and a variety of off-track activity, which is what resulted in our record attendance.”

Those in the grandstands or standing behind chainlink fencing around the iconic street course got a thrilling Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, the climax of the city’s “200-mph beach party.”

Related: For more Grand Prix of Long Beach coverage, click here.

Australian Scott Dixon, won of the most-accomplished IndyCar Series competitors, won the 49th iteration of the Grand Prix of Long Beach in thrilling fashion, having to conserve fuel for about the final 30 laps while those behind him made strong pushes to overtake him.

This was Dixon’s second time claiming the checkered flag in Long Beach, with his first win here coming in 2015. Santa Clarita native Colton Herta came in second and he’s now finished in the top five each time he’s driven in his local race.  Alex Palou, from Spain, came in third.

“It was fun,” Dixon, with Chip Ganassi racing, said during a post-race press conference. “I think it was definitely sketchy in the fact that the pressure was coming hot and strong. We thought they were going to tie us off pretty quickly.

“The stress level was pretty high.”

During the final three laps, fans were glued to the action on the track, watching on big screens when the cars were out of sight or peering down at Long Beach’s streets as they zipped by. There was certainly plenty of drama, with Josef Newgarden initially poised to overtake Dixon before being bumped and lifted slightly off the ground by Herta while going through a hairpin turn. Dixon, meanwhile, admitted afterward that he thought he woudl run out of fuel.

“I loved the competition,” said Mohammad Ash, from Woodland Hills, who watched from a big screen. “Dixon deserved the win. It was a great race.”

Anticipation for the race was high.

By 9 a.m., racing fans were lined up to get a taste of what would come by watching the IndyCars warm up.

Hernan Robajo and his wife, Paula Vasquez, from Venice, decided to get to the track early Sunday to beat traffic and buy some Grand Prix merchandise. Rabajo said he has been a big IndyCar race fan all his life, though this is only the couple’s second time coming out to Long Beach to see the races.

“I’m a really big racing fan,” Robajo said in Spanish. “I’m looking forward to seeing the Pato O’Ward race, as well as Scott Dixon.”

But the main Grand Prix of Long Beach wasn’t the only attraction.

There was also a Honda demonstration, the second Historic IndyCar Challenge race, the Mothers Exotic Car Parade and other on-the-track entertainment both before and after the main NTT IndyCar Series race. And, just like on Friday and Saturday, there was plenty of other activities throughout the Grand Prix concourse.

“We’re all excited for today; we’re waiting to see the Historic IndyCar race right now,” Jeffrey Vences, from San Bernardino, said before the morning race began.

He brought his friends Andrew Martinez and Jasmine Hernandez to the Grand Prix for the first time.

“There’s always so many different things to do,” he said. “Unlike many other events where there’s just one thing to do, here we have lots of options.”

Martinez agreed — and said he’ll be back again.

“It’s really fun,” Martinez said. “We’re planning to make this a yearly thing.”

For fans who enjoy the party atmosphere more than the racing itself, the Grand Prix also had plenty to offer.

Those folks spent Sunday checking out the lifestyle expo and its more than 100 retailers. There was also a city-run sensory trailer for those who get overwhelmed by the excitement and a high-end simulator — which lets you compete in a tournament by driving around Long Beach’s iconic downtown street course. And, of course, there were plenty of food and drink options — including the popular food truck row — for anyone became famished or thirsty.

“It’s pretty cool; there’s a lot to see,” said first-time Grand Prix attendee Jasmine Robled.

She was just trying to take it all in, the Wilmington resident said.

“I’m not really into cars but this is making me a little bit more interested to learn more,” Robled said. “It has been a fun atmosphere to be in for the first time.”

And it was a thrilling way to cap off the 49th Grand Prix of Long Beach.

 

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