Modelo Especial and Ballast Point to be Official Beer Sponsors at Long Beach

Grand Prix Association of Long Beach officials today announced that Modelo Especial will become the Official Beer of the 2019 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, while Ballast Point will be Official Craft Beer of the 45th annual racing event.

The brands have secured the marketing rights to the Grand Prix and will be promoting the race at participating retail locations throughout the Los Angeles area. In addition, the brands will have fan activation locations throughout the circuit.

“We are honored to partner with the great team at the Acura Grand Prix," said John Ford, Marketing Director for Constellation Brands. “It is our mission to deliver an amazing fan experience for the people of Long Beach, and we know our Modelo and Ballast Point activations will be great additions to the race fan promotions. We are particularly excited to showcase our amazing Long Beach Ballast Point Tasting Room overlooking Alamitos Bay as part of the festivities."

Modelo started brewing in 1925 in the small town of Tacuba, Mexico. Modelo Especial® is a golden, full-flavored Pilsner-style Lager. Other varieties include Modelo Negra™, Modelo Chelada Especial™ and most recently, Modelo Chelada Limon y Sal ™.

Ballast Point Brewing began as Home Brew Mart in San Diego in 1992. Since then, it has grown into a national brewery dedicated to the craft of making great beer. Ballast Point tirelessly innovates, honors its local home brew roots, and has a passion for customer service and education.

“We are delighted to have Modelo and Ballast Point back with us in 2019, two beer brand selections which proved very popular with our fans last year," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “We look forward to partnering with their parent company, Constellation Brands, in promoting the Acura Grand Prix throughout the region."

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, taking place April 12-14, will be headlined by the fourth round of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series, as well as the BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix, featuring the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In addition, the weekend will include the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge under the lights on Friday and Saturday nights; SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks, the powerful sports cars of the Pirelli GT4 America and the new-for-2019 Historic IMSA GTO Challenge. There will also be concerts, free to race ticket holders, on Friday and Saturday nights.

Fans can select and pay for their Grand Prix seats, parking and paddock passes online at gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 827-7333. Also featured on gplb.com is the latest Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach news and racetrack information, photos and ongoing announcements of special race week activities.

Ticket prices range from $33 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $147 for a three-day ticket that includes Sat./Sun. reserved seating in grandstand upper levels. Pre-paid parking packages are also available, along with handicapped seating, NTT IndyCar Series Paddock passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of hospitality packages.