Andretti Impact On Long Beach Grows With Conway IndyCar Win

Mike Conway gets first IndyCar Series win while giving Andretti Autosport its second win in a row at the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach. Image Credit: Jeff Lewis/Grand Prix Association of Long Beach (2011)

Andretti Impact On Long Beach Grows With Conway IndyCar Win

The Andretti family and the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach almost have a charge of destiny about them when spring comes around here in the Los Angeles basin. Mario Andretti showed an American face during the Formula 1 years and in 1977, at Long Beach, when he became the only American to win the United States Grand Prix West. He went on to win four times while driving for Newman/Haas in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Michael Andretti won at Long Beach as a driver for Kraco Racing in 1986, Newman/Haas in 2002, further owned/fielded the winning cars in 2010 (Hunter-Raey) and now ... 2011 (with Conway).

Take for example this latest round of the 37th edition of a temporary street race that set the standard of bringing the track to the people as opposed to having the people travel to a dedicated track. Last year, Andretti Autosport, and Michael Andretti specifically, were very confident that they would have the car and driver to win the event. Ryan Hunter-Raey delivered on the pre-event near prediction at the Long Beach Motorsports Walk-Of-Fame by Michael that Ryan would win the race.

Ryan Hunter-Raey as he negotiates his way to position 2 and feels poised to win the race. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

This year looked as though the Andretti Autosport driver would repeat as Hunter-Raey had strong practice, qualifying sessions throughout the weekend, and running at the top of the order in second late in the race, behind Penske Racing's Ryan Briscoe ... only to have to retire with transmission problems with 13 laps left.

Enter Mike Conway ... Conway claimed his first IndyCar Series race victory with a late charge despite tumbling down the order with an ugly first pitstop. Conway worked his way back through the field and on what turned out to be the last Yellow Flag restart of the race, he was sixth behind Briscoe leading fellow teammate Hunter-Reay, Franchitti, Alex Tagliani (Sam Schmidt), Hinchcliffe (Newman/Haas) as the green came out. Conway quickly passed Hinchcliff and Tagliani on Shoreline Drive at the restart, picked up another place when Hunter-Reay's car slowed with its gearbox problem, then was able to dispatch Franchitti and Briscoe in quick succession to take the lead. It turns out that Conway was able to keep his tires cleaner during the Yellow Flag caution period making the dirty tires of Franchitti and Briscoe open for clean and easy overtakes. Once ahead, Conway, on his clean tires, decisively stormed away from the field, going on to win by 6 seconds as Briscoe held off Franchitti for second.

Ryan Briscoe ends up in P2 after being passed by Mike Conway on the last Yellow Flag restart. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)

Audio Of Post Race Podium Press Conference For The 37th Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach
(P2 - Ryan Briscoe & P3 - Dario Franchitti - Begin to 12:58 | Michael Andretti & P1 - Mike Conway - 13:00 to End at 24:13 ... file is launchable & downloadable)

At the post race press conference, Michael Andretti, team owner of Andretti Autosport, expressed his confidence in not only adding Conway to his team but the future prospects of Mike Conway for the season.

"I think Mike showed a lot of signs of brilliance last year at the beginning of the season and then unfortunately had his accident," Michael Andretti said. "Coming back, I had no question in my mind. I personally felt like he was going to be hungrier than ever, and that's exactly the way it came about."
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"I never felt like it was taking a chance. I was so happy that we were able to put a deal together with Mike because I wanted him all the way from the end of last year."
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"I was very happy because I felt like he was going to be a great addition to the team - not only as a great talent, but he just fits in with the other three drivers, which is quite important to have that chemistry."

And I think we have a great chemistry right now between the drivers, and because of that, I feel really good about the rest of this year. I think we're going to be strong."

Andretti did admit he wasn't expecting Conway to win the race, conceding that he was happy with the prospect of the Brit at being poised to finish in the top six on the last restart.

"It was crazy and I've got to admit unexpected," Andretti said. "It's so difficult to pass here, so I was really happy to see Mike up in the top six, and I thought that's not bad. At that point we were feeling good about where Ryan was and then all of a sudden Ryan has this (gearbox) problem. I was thinking, 'Oh, man, this is over.'

"And then, all of a sudden, everybody starts cheering, and I'm thinking, 'What are they cheering about?' Mike is like, boom, going past Dario (Franchitti), and next thing you know he's past (Ryan) Briscoe. Unbelievable."

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Audio Of Question Asked Of Michael Andretti About Prospects At Long Beach 2012

At the end of the press conference one felt that that this Andretti charge of destiny with Long Beach just might end up as a Three-Peat for Michael and his team come 2012 when the 38th Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach will be held once again when spring comes back around here in the Los Angeles basin.

... notes from The EDJE

2010 Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame: Andretti & Sullivan

Michael Andretti (talking with last year's LBMWOF inductee) and Danny Sullivan become the latest inductee's to the Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame. They join other inductee's of renown like Michael's father, Mario ... who was pushed aside by inductee Al Unser Jr. to win a Long Beach race in the 1989 LBGP (who was later pushed aside by teammate Danny Sullivan for his win in the 1992 LBGP), Bobby Rahal, Paul Newman & Carl Haas, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Brian Redman, Chris Pook, Parnelli Jones, and Long Beach's own Bonneville world land speed record holder Gary Gabelich. Combo Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

2010 Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame: Andretti & Sullivan

Hummmmm, Andretti & Sullivan ... Andretti & Sullivan ... Andretti & Sullivan - sounds a little like a big Broadway show production but actually these are just the last names of the most recent inductee's to the Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame.

The City of Long Beach and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach honored racing legends Danny Sullivan and Michael Andretti at the fifth annual Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame induction ceremony. Both men have won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach during their illustrious careers. The ceremony took place on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 11:00 am on Pine Avenue in front of the Long Beach Convention Center.

4th Annual Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame inductees Bobby Rahal and Al Unser, Jr. share a word while standing in front of Parnelli Jones just before the medallion unveiling ceremony. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

In only its 5th year, the LBMWOF Thursday late-morning ceremony has quickly become the traditional kickoff event to signal the beginning of the annual (36 years) Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach week.

The late-morning sun was bright and the large crowd ... sunny.

“Both of these driving legends certainly left their mark here at Long Beach and we are delighted to welcome them into the pantheon of existing honorees,” said Jim Michaelian, President/CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

Danny Sullivan raced 11 times at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, winning in 1992 when he set a record with an average speed of 91.945 mph. In 1985, he made world-wide headlines for his incredible “spin and win” victory at the Indianapolis 500, where he spun around 360 degrees going 200 mph and went on to win one of the most memorable victories at the Brickyard. In addition, he was the 1988 CART World Series Champion and the Can-Am Rookie of the Year in 1980. Throughout his career he took a total of 17 checkered flags. He continues to contribute to the sport by helping to develop the next generation of Formula 1 drivers.

Michael Andretti has carved out a very impressive career as both a driver and owner. Andretti’s first checkered flag was the 1986 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and his final victory as a driver was also in the Toyota Grand Prix, in 2002. Along the way he became the winningest driver in CART history, with 42 victories, including the season championship in 1991. He received the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1984. After leaving the cockpit in 2003, Andretti went on to become the winningest owner in Indy Racing League history, with Indy 500 victories in 2005 and 2007, 34 IndyCar Series wins as well as consecutive IndyCar Series championships in 2004 and 2005.

The Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame medallions include renditions of the racers' cars and their major achievements in motorsports. 2008 inductee Mario Andretti's medallion above. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (The EDJE) 2008

"I'm delighted that we are adding two more legendary drivers to the Motorsports Walk of Fame – Danny Sullivan and Michael Andretti," said Mayor Bob Foster, who will be presenting the medallions to the honorees. "Every year the Walk of Fame kicks off a great week of Grand Prix events that brings thousands to Long Beach."

... notes from The EDJE

36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach events cheatsheet

The 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach logo on the side of an IZOD IndyCar Series Dallara show car on display outside of V2O Nightclub & Events Center during the Committee of 300 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach KICKOFF PARTY. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach events cheatsheet

The 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach activities get started in earnest this week as the ticket office opens and events are firmed up for all to enjoy during race weekend "At The Beach". The Grand Prix downtown ticket office opened Monday March 22, 2010, and is located at 300 E. Seaside Way in Long Beach (near the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center box office). The office is expected to be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

One of the anticipated events that kick-off the weekend of April 16-18 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, featuring six races including the IZOD IndyCar Series, is the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame induction ceremony that happens the day before the formal activities get started - April 15, 2010 at 11:00am - Pine Avenue in front of the Long Beach Convention Center.

The City of Long Beach kicks off the 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach by honoring two additional members to the 5th annual Motorsports Walk of Fame: Michael Andretti (whose father, Mario, is already honored with a medallion and whose son, Marco will be competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series race) and Danny Sullivan. The event honors motorsports stars that have either lived in Long Beach or have graced the oceanside city with their talent, along the way to a pinnacle career behind the wheel in sporting competition.

A one-of-a-kind, two-foot in diameter medallion was cast, listing the name and accomplishments of the honoree, then set in cement for all race fans and visitors to see as they walk down the east side of Pine avenue in front of the Convention Center. Past inductees include Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Brian Redman, Chris Pook, Paul Newman, Carl Haas, Al Unser, Jr., Bobby Rahal, Parnelli Jones, and Gary Gabelich. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2008)

The official three-day event, headlined with the fourth stop in the IZOD IndyCar Series 17 race season, that runs from April 16-18 also includes: the popular Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race; the technologically advanced sports cars of the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach race; Firestone Indy Lights; Team Drifting Challenge and the SCCA Pro World Challenge.

The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will again boast a star-studded lineup that includes the return of Keanu Reeves, who will defend his 2009 race win, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk and Christian Slater tangling with professional drivers such as former CART champion Jimmy Vasser and Drifting ace Tanner Foust in an always-action-packed 10-lap dash for charity.

In addition to wheel-to-wheel racing, fans can enjoy the Tecate Light Fiesta Friday Concert Presented by Exitos 93.9 at 6:30 p.m., with the potent one-two punch of "Molotov" and "Maldita Vecindad." On Saturday, the Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar Concert Presented by KLOS at 6:30 p.m. features classic rockers "Cheap Trick."

Both concerts, held on the Convention Center outdoor stage, are free to race ticket holders.

The weekend-long Lifestyle Expo in the Convention Center - free to all ticket holders - features the alternative energy vehicles of "Green Power Prix-View" and highlights renewable energy sources and a host of energy tips for inside AND outside the home, as well as racecars, games, simulators, and BMX bike exhibitions. A new addition, Arena Jamm, will take place inside the Long Beach Arena and feature over 20 local musical acts providing a constant stream of entertainment throughout the weekend.

Of course, if paying for tickets is not your thing, and you would rather be a part of the 36th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach as opposed to just watching the show, join the Committee Of 300. Volunteer and be seen assisting on staffing for the Los Angeles and Orange County Auto Shows, the Belmont Shore Auto Classics Show, the Belmont Shore, Seal Beach, and Daisy Lane holiday parades, and are supporters of the STEEL MAGNOLIAS, an organization for the Stramski Children's Development Center at Memorial Hospital ... the C-300! Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

The famed race circuit, which includes the downtown streets of Long Beach surrounding the Long Beach Entertainment and Convention Center, is 1.97 miles in length and includes 11 turns. Grandstands lining the circuit include reserved seating, limited general admission seats, and seating for various hospitality club ticket packages.

In addition to the downtown walk-up service, tickets can be ordered via credit card by using the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.gplb.com or at Ticketmaster outlets. Handicapped seating, IZOD IndyCar Paddock Passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of hospitality club packages - including the all-new Vista Club atop the Hyatt Regency Hotel - are also available.

So get your tickets to the 36th annual Race at the Beach weekend, see some famous race drivers get honored, and don't forget to slap on your "SPF 500" sunscreen. It always is sunny and hot around Shoreline Drive, the Aquarium and Ocean Avenue as the sound of high-revving naturally aspirated Honda engines echo off of the buildings and fill the air.

Flowers, sunshine, SPF sunscreen, and the sound of race engines ... it MUST be spring in Southern California.

... notes from The EDJE