Everything You Need to Know About the 6 Races at the 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach
2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach Set for April 17-19
The highly anticipated 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach will showcase six types of motorsports from April 17 to 19, ensuring an exciting weekend for racing enthusiasts. Featured events will include races from IndyCar, IMSA sports cars, Stadium Super Trucks, Porsche Carrera Cup cars, drifting competitions, and historic races on the iconic street circuit.
The event will kick off with on-track activities on Friday, culminating in the headline IndyCar Series race on Sunday and the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon. The weekend promises an impressive lineup of cars and trucks, with racing action starting Friday.
NTT IndyCar Series
The NTT IndyCar Series will feature open-wheel cars resembling those that compete in the Indianapolis 500. Known for their turbo-charged engines, these vehicles can reach speeds of approximately 185 mph along Shoreline Drive. IndyCar racing distinguishes itself by not using aids such as power steering and traction control, which emphasizes driver skill.
With a spec chassis—the Dallara IR-18—IndyCar aims to create equal performance opportunities while keeping costs manageable. Drivers will benefit from adjustable aerodynamic packages tailored to the street course, emphasizing downforce for better stability during sharp turns.
2025 Results: Kyle Kirkwood emerged victorious in 2025, finishing 2.68 seconds ahead of Alex Palou with an average speed exceeding 100 mph. Kyffin Simpson registered the fastest lap at 68.1355 seconds.
2026 Standings: Kirkwood currently leads the standings with just a two-point margin over Palou, having achieved one win and four top-five finishes.
Schedule: Practice sessions will commence Friday, followed by a crucial qualifying round at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The feature race is slated for 2:45 p.m. on Sunday.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will take center stage on Saturday in a 100-minute race that merges several classes on the 1.9-mile course. GTP prototypes and GT Daytona production cars will race simultaneously, creating a thrilling atmosphere filled with strategic maneuvering.
This race comes after teams competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, making this event a sprint compared to those endurance races.
2025 Results: The Porsche Penske Motorsport team brought home a 1-2 finish in 2025, with Felipe Nasr recording the fastest lap at 1:12.708. In the GTD class, Lexus drivers filled the top two spots, led by Parker Thompson and Jack Hawksworth.
2026 Standings: The Porsche team, consisting of Julien Andlauer, Laurin Heinrich, and Nasr, currently leads the point standings.
Schedule: IMSA qualifying is set for 5:25 p.m. Saturday, with the feature sports car race beginning at 1 p.m.
Stadium SUPER Trucks
The Stadium SUPER Trucks are sure to add a dynamic flair to the weekend, as these powerful machines leap off ramps and battle for position along Shoreline Drive.
Schedule: The trucks will race Saturday at 5:15 p.m. and again on Sunday at 12:15 p.m.
Porsche Carrera Cup
Competitors in the Porsche Carrera Cup will engage in two races on Saturday, taking place at 9:05 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. Sunday.
Super Drift Challenge
The Super Drift Challenge is a crowd favorite where drivers showcase their skills by drifting through turns, with judges assessing their technique and style.
Historic Sports Cars
Rounding out the weekend will be exhibition races featuring historic sports cars from the 1970s through 1991, showcasing models from brands like AMC, Audi, and Ford.
About the Long Beach Street Course
The Long Beach street course stretches just 1.968 miles and includes 11 turns. The fastest section runs along Shoreline Drive, where fans can witness high-speed action. Drivers will navigate sharp turns, particularly the technical hairpin at Turn 11, making for thrilling viewing opportunities throughout the race weekend.
