Penske Entertainment has acquired the rights to stage the IndyCar race in Long Beach, as WRC signs new deal with Croatia.
IndyCar –
Penske Entertainment announced today the newest member of its growing event portfolio, confirming the acquisition of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC, from longtime owner Gerald R. Forsythe. The association administers the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the longest-running major street circuit race in North America. The purchase is expected to provide significant investment for the marquee NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, to further enhance this can’t-miss celebration of speed and Southern California motorsport culture for years to come.
This upcoming year marks the 50th edition of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, with special programming planned to mark the occasion. The race will return to network television, with FOX set to broadcast the event Sunday, April 13. “We’re incredibly proud to be the new stewards of this cherished and iconic event,” said Roger Penske.
“This is the most historic and prestigious street circuit race in North America, and we’re excited to work with 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.”
“As we prepare to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone, the 50th anniversary of this amazing event, it’s fitting that we have such exciting and important news to share about its future,” said Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian. “Roger and the team at Penske Entertainment understand the special history and unique qualities that give us such a strong foundation and will be ideal partners as we continue to deliver an exceptional race weekend for our fans moving forward. I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution that the previous owners, Jerry Forsythe and the late Kevin Kalkhoven, made to the success of our event over the past 19 years.”
As an acclaimed and highly attended annual event located in the nation’s entertainment capital, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a premier race weekend for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Working alongside the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach team, Penske Entertainment plans to invest in bolstering and enhancing the experience for race fans, sponsors and hospitality customers.
“This is a major race weekend, not just on our calendar but across the motorsport landscape,” Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles said. “We’re committed to preserving the core attributes that make it best in class while also working on some exciting and bold initiatives to make its future even bigger and brighter.”
The three-day weekend regularly attracts crowds of over 190,000 people to its 1.968-mile racecourse surrounding the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. The 2024 edition featured a supercharged atmosphere, which included the largest attendance in the modern INDYCAR era. The event brings global attention and positive economic impact to its home city, while also maintaining a charitable organization – the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach – which has donated more than $4.2 million to those in need within the Long Beach community.
“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,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “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.”
As part of today’s announcement, Penske Entertainment and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach released a special video, narrated by former Indy 500 Honorary Starter and acclaimed actor Milo Ventimiglia. Today’s news marks the continuation of an ambitious and productive period for Penske Entertainment, which owns and manages INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
In September, the organization announced the establishment of the first charter system in INDYCAR’s history, providing NTT INDYCAR SERIES owners meaningful and enhanced value across their entries. In October, Penske Entertainment unveiled the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington, powered through a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, featuring an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses across the United States and Canada. Beginning in 2025, FOX Sports will be the exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, providing a network broadcast via FOX of all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in the U.S. to broadcast every race on network television.
WRC –
Croatia will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2026 and 2027, following the signing of a three-year agreement that will also see the country host an FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) round in 2025*.
The agreement reaffirms the commitment that started when Croatia first joined the WRC in 2021 and underscores the country’s ongoing role as a key destination for world-class motorsport events. The contract was announced by Simon Larkin, Senior Director of Events for WRC Promoter GmbH, and Daniel Šaškin, President of the Croatia Rally Organising Committee, in the presence of Croatia’s Ministry of Sports State Secretary, Josip Pavić, and Croatian Automobile and Karting Federation President, Robert Markt.
Since debuting in the WRC in 2021, Croatia Rally has quickly established itself as a standout fixture, with high-speed stages that challenge crews on asphalt surfaces ranging from smooth to badly broken. The event’s inclusion in the 2026 and 2027 WRC calendars further cements its position as a key Tarmac rally in the future mix of the WRC.
Looking ahead to 2025, the experience gained from Croatia’s four successful WRC editions will play a vital role in setting a new benchmark for organisational excellence within the ERC. Croatia Rally has already been lauded for its sporting, promotional, and entertainment achievements in the WRC, and the 2025 ERC edition will benefit from this proven track record.
“When Croatia Rally joined the WRC in 2021, we knew it would become an instant classic, and it hasn’t disappointed in each of the last four editions,” enthused Simon Larkin. “We are delighted to continue this adventure for the next three years across both our championships. It will definitely add a new sporting challenge to the ERC, and we think it will appeal to not just our regular ERC competitors, but likely some WRC teams as well.
“We’d like to thank the Croatian Government at all levels – led by Sports Minister Tonči Glavina – as well as Daniel Šaškin, the President of the Organising Committee, for their unwavering support of this project,” he added. Daniel Šaškin expressed his thanks to the Croatian Government and all stakeholders, saying:
“With the support of the Croatian government and our partners, Croatia will host the ERC next year and welcome the WRC back in subsequent years. I also thank WRC Promoter for recognising the quality of our organisation and choosing to continue hosting these motorsport competitions in Croatia. Through our experience and successful organisation, we continue to position Croatia as a motorsport hub.”
Robert Markt also highlighted the lasting impact of the partnership: “This agreement and these events are crucial for Croatian motorsports and have lasting benefits for the economy and Croatia’s reputation as a premier sports destination.”
“As a former athlete, I am extremely proud to be part of a government that recognises and supports sports, including major events like the WRC Croatia Rally. This is indeed a major event, not only due to its significance for motorsports in Croatia but also due to its economic impact on the host destinations. WRC Croatia Rally brilliantly combines sport and tourism to the satisfaction of all stakeholders,” added Josip Pavić.
[Note: The story is as per press release]
