NASCAR taking on the Long Beach GP?

Launched to discover street circuit racing in 2023 in Chicago, the NASCAR could extend the concept to California, with the legendary Long Beach Grand Prix in its sights.

According to Racer.com, the American stock car championship is in the running to hold a 50% stake in the organization of the Long Beach Grand Prix. It was Kevin Kalkhoven, businessman and team owner, who left us in 2022, who held these shares.

Kalkhoven joined forces with Gerald Forsythe to acquire the Long Beach Grand Prix. All in addition to the Champ Car championship, which went bankrupt in 2003. Kalkhoven's heirs therefore decided to resell the shares that the latter held in Long Beach. NASCAR would therefore position itself to buy them out.

A significant loss for IndyCar

Such an acquisition could mean bad news for theIndyCar. The American single-seater championship has been taking to the streets of California since 1984. Long Beach previously hosted eight editions of the United States Grand Prix West. Formula 1. It is now the second most prestigious round on the IndyCar calendar, behind the ever-present Indianapolis 500.

The status of Long Beach, considered by many to be the “American Monaco,” is highly appreciated by sponsors. Located just half an hour from Hollywood, the circuit welcomes a plethora of celebrities each year and offers a glamorous side that is rarely found in IndyCar, except in Indianapolis.

A buyout of half of the Grand Prix shares by NASCAR would inevitably lead to the race being included on the Cup Series calendar. The main support race being a test ofIMSA, championship held by… NASCAR, IndyCar would be asked to pack its bags.

“The Southern California market is very important to NASCAR”, declared Ben Kennedy, NASCAR vice president of racing development, to our colleagues. “We have explored different options in this area, and we will continue to do so. I'm not going to say which tracks we talked to, but I will say that if we had the choice, we would have a race in Southern California every year. »

IndyCar wouldn't give up

An arrival in Long Beach would allow NASCAR to rely on a well-established organization, and to hold one of the most prestigious American races. However, IndyCar appears unwilling to give up, and would also be competing for the 50% previously held by Kevin Kalkhoven.

Penske Entertainment, the company founded by Roger Penske and now owner of the IndyCar championship and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, could thus want to expand its track portfolio, in order to maintain one of the most important rounds for the championship sponsors, and teams. To be continued…

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