TMW: Penske Acquires Long Beach, Monaco's Moving to June
Both the Indianapolis 500 and Grand Prix of Long Beach now fall under the Penske Entertainment umbrella.
The Morning Warmup
Nov. 15, 2024
Today’s Top Stories
1) Penske Entertainment acquires Long Beach GP (IndyCar)
Penske Entertainment now has the two biggest races of its’ tour among the company’s portfolio.
The company announced Thursday that it had purchased the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, acquiring it from Gerald R. Forsythe. It adds the historic Grand Prix of Long Beach to a collection that includes Indianapolis Motor Speedway (and Indianapolis 500 as a result), the Detroit Grand Prix and the series that contests all three events - the NTT IndyCar Series.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the new stewards of this cherished and iconic event,” Roger Penske said in a press release. “This is the most historic and prestigious street circuit race in North America, and we’re excited to work with (Grand Prix of Long Beach CEO) Jim Michaelian and his great team in Long Beach to ensure continued success and growth over the long term.
“This race and its loyal fans matter so much to everyone across the IndyCar community, and we’re looking forward to a very special 50th anniversary celebration this April, as well.”
Penske Entertainment claimed plans “to invest in bolstering and enhancing the experience for race fans, sponsors and hospitality customers” as part of the announcement. Long Beach is set to host the 50th edition of its iconic race on April 13. The event typically draws nearly 200,000 people over the course of three days.
“The Grand Prix is an incredibly vital and vibrant asset for our community and an annual event that drives commerce, attracts tourism and elevates cultural connectivity across our city,” Long Beach mayor Rex Richardson said. “Penske Entertainment will be a committed and energetic partner for the future that seeks to preserve and enhance this event’s rich history and strong legacy.
We’re looking forward to a great working relationship that benefits everyone who calls Long Beach home.”
(Source(s): Joey Barnes / Motorsport)
2) Monaco Grand Prix stays on F1 calendar, moving to June in 2026 (F1)
The Monaco Grand Prix is sticking on the Formula 1 calendar until 2031, albeit with a slight tweak that will effect one of racing’s biggest weekends.
F1 announced a six-year extension of its deal with Monaco on Thursday, bringing back the iconic race ahead of what was to be the final year of its current contract beforehand. The event will move away from its traditional late-May date to the first full weekend in June as part of the new deal beginning in 2026.
In doing so, Monaco will no longer serve as the early leg of the ‘Greatest Day in Motorsports’ - an unofficial Memorial Day weekend tradition that included Monaco, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Instead it will split the gap between Indy and the Le Mans 24 Hours, a trio of races referred to as the ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport.’
“I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031,” F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. “The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.
“I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, president of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership.
“This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco. It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimized calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030.”
F1 drivers will, at least in theory, be open to attempt to run the Indy 500, something that hasn’t been done since Fernando Alonso skipped Monaco for Indy with McLaren and Andretti Global (then Autosport) in 2017. Though it remains to be seen if the late May weekend or preceding qualifying weekend will be free.
The Monaco move also opens up the possibility for Miami and Canada to be paired in the schedule, which would be a logistical improvement for the series.
(Source(s): Chris Medland / RACER)
A quick bit of analysis: There are a trio of consequences in Monaco’s new deal. (Josh Suttill & Scott Mitchell-Malm / The Race)
News and Notes
NASCAR
Start times and broadcast networks have been released for the 2025 NASCAR national series schedules. (Dustin Long / NBC Sports)
Bowman Gray Stadium is set to receive some necessary facility improvements ahead of NASCAR’s Clash in early February. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
NASCAR reportedly threatened major penalties for any race manipulation in Sunday’s title-decider. (Matt Weaver / Sportsnaut)
Parker Retzlaff announced Thursday that he won’t return to Jordan Anderson Racing next year. (Parker Retzlaff / X)
Have Joey Logano and Team Penske cracked the current playoff format like Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports did in the 10-race Chase era? (Nick DeGroot / Motorsport)
Title-winning crew chief Paul Wolfe has already made a legendary career for himself. He’s still trying to make the most of it each day. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
IndyCar
Alex Palou is a three-time champion with an all-time great resume. But his IndyCar career feels incomplete without an Indy 500 triumph. (Joey Barnes / Motorsport)
F1
If you haven’t already, take a moment to enjoy Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson slinging some dirt with coaching from Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen.
Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei will step down from his position at the end of the year. (Chris Medland / RACER)
The FIA has approved mandated cooling kits in extreme heat for the 2025 F1 season. (Filip Cleeren / Motorsport)
The Athletic’s Luke Smith read Mercedes’ all-access F1 book. Here are his takeaways.
The impact of hosting Formula 1 was eye-opening for Las Vegas in last year’s series debut. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Series officials are working to be less tough on Las Vegas in F1’s second year on The Strip. (Filip Cleeren & Mark Mann-Bryans / Motorsport)
F1 Arcade will launch a third U.S. venue in Denver next year. (RACER)
Today in “random F1 stories” - Mercedes’ involvement in the upcoming F1 film led Red Bull to fear it would be portrayed as a villain. (Sam Hall / Motorsport)
Sports Cars
IMSA teams are already building toward 2025, with an annual pre-season test coming later this month. (Richard S. James / RACER)
Single-seater stalwart Rodin Motorsport is considering entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class. (Stephen Kilbey / RACER)
Jenson Button is set to stay in WEC with Jota as it transitions to Cadillac in 2025. (Gary Watkins / Motorsport)
Dirt
Kyle Busch is coming to the Chili Bowl. Rowdy will make his debut in the race this January. (FloRacing)
NASCAR’s other title-winning Kyle, Kyle Larson, has added a trio. of USAC National Midget events to his schedule. (Brandon Paul / FloRacing)
Short Tracks
There are three weeks of big races on the way in the Carolinas. (Andy Marquis / Short Track Scene)
Moto
BMW is bringing a superteam to the Isle of Man TT next year. (Simon Patterson / The Race)
Francesco Bagnaia is on the losing end of the MotoGP title fight heading into the Barcelona finale, but he feels he’s been the better rider with a 10-win campaign. (Rachit Thukral / Motorsport)
Here’s how Jorge Martin can clinch the MotoGP title this weekend. (Valentin Khorounzhiy / The Race)
Michelin faced a tight timeline to make this weekend’s MotoGP finale possible after a late venue change. (Oriol Puigdemont / Motorsport)
Marc Marquez is set to test Ducati’s GP25 and GP24 bikes as a tuneup for his factory ride next year in the Barcelona MotoGP test. (Rachit Thukral & German Garcia Casanova / Motorsport)
Rally
Croatia is set to return to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar in 2026. (David Evans / DirtFish)
The World Rallycross Championship will have a new promoter next year. (Luke Barry / DirtFish)
Drag Racing
NASCAR-turned NHRA competitor Tony Stewart has conquered a lot in his career. Next up? Fatherhood. (Bob Pockrass / FOX Sports)
Shawn Langdon and Kalitta Motorsports have a simple goal this weekend: win big now, when it counts most. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
Other
With his Formula E stint seemingly over, Sacha Fenestraz is closing in on a potential return to Super Formula and Super GT in Japan. (Jamie Klein / Motorsport)
On Track This Week
All Times ET
Friday, Nov. 15
Supercars
All at Adelaide
Practice: 6:30 p.m., SuperView
Top Ten Shootout: 9:05 p.m., SuperView
Race 23: 11:50 p.m., SuperView
Dirt
Castrol FloRacing Night in America (Senoia Raceway): 4:30 p.m., FloRacing
American Sprint Car Series (Creek County Speedway): 7:45 p.m., DirtVision
Macau Grand Prix
Motorcycle Grand Prix: 8:30 p.m., Motorsport.tv
Macau Roadsport Challenge: 9:55 p.m., Motorsport.tv
Macau Guia Race: 11:35 p.m., Motorsport.tv
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Saturday, Nov. 16
Supercars
All at Adelaide
Qualifying: 6:50 p.m., SuperView
Top Ten Shootout: 9:05 p.m., SuperView
Race 24: 11:45 p.m., SuperView
Dirt
Castrol FloRacing Night in America (Senoia Raceway): 4:30 p.m., FloRacing
American Sprint Car Series (Creek County Speedway): 6:45 p.m., DirtVision
Local Racing (Volusia Speedway Park): 6:00 p.m., DirtVision
Short Tracks
Islip 300 (Riverhead Raceway): 12:15 p.m., FloRacing
Moto
MotoGP Tissot Sprint (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya): 9:00 a.m., Max with B/R Sports Add-On
Macau Grand Prix
FIA GT World Cup Qualification Race: 12:50 a.m., Motorsport.tv
FIA FR World Cup Qualification Race: 2:30 a.m., Motorsport.tv
Greater Bay Area GT Cup: 7:15 p.m., Motorsport.tv
Macau Roadsport Race: 8:35 p.m., Motorsport.tv
Macau Guia Race: 9:55 p.m., Motorsport.tv
Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup: 11:25 p.m., Motorsport.tv
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Sunday, Nov. 17
Moto
Moto3 Feature Race (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya): 5:00 a.m., Max with B/R Sports Add-On
Moto2 Feature Race (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya): 6:15 a.m., Max with B/R Sports Add-On
MotoGP Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya): 8:00 a.m., Max with B/R Sports Add-On
Macau Grand Prix
Macau Grand Prix - FIA FR World Cup: 2:30 a.m., Motorsport.tv
Fast Fact
Max Verstappen is close to clinching his fourth-consecutive F1 title. If he’s able to do so, the Dutch ace will be the fifth driver to accomplish the feat, following Juan Manuel Fangio (1954-57), Michael Schumacher (2000-04), Sebastian Vettel (2010-13) and Lewis Hamilton (2017-20). Of them, only Schumacher managed to keep the streak going for a fifth season - though some Mercedes fans might try to put an asterisk next to the end of Hamilton’s streak (and beginning of Verstappen’s) in the controversial 2021 season finale.
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