Track News: Race Promoter Jim Michaelian dies at 83

Jim Michaelian, the visionary leader who helped launch and then guided the Grand Prix of Long Beach for more than five decades, died on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was 83.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

A Southern California native whose love of speed began as a boy learning to drive on the back roads of his grandmother’s vineyard in Fresno and later as a hot-rodding teenager in Alhambra, Michaelian brought both passion and business acumen to one of America’s most iconic motorsport events. A University of California, Los Angeles graduate with a B.S. in physics and an M.B.A., he joined the fledgling Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in 1975 as its first controller—famously riding his bicycle to the initial planning meeting because a suspended driver’s license (courtesy of youthful speeding tickets) prevented him from driving.

He rose steadily through the ranks, serving as chief operating officer before being named president and CEO in December 2001. For 51 years, Michaelian was the steady hand and beating heart of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Under his leadership the event evolved from a bold, sometimes doubted street race into a world-class spectacle that draws nearly 200,000 fans annually, generates more than $100 million in economic impact, and stands as the second-most prestigious race on the NTT IndyCar Series calendar. He shepherded the event through its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025, oversaw record attendance, and successfully navigated its 2024 acquisition by Penske Entertainment. In January 2026 he announced plans to step down after this year’s race and transition into a new advisory role with Penske—only weeks before his passing.

Away from the office, Michaelian was a fiercely competitive endurance racer for more than 25 years, competing at legendary venues including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring, Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, Watkins Glen, and Dubai. He also served on the boards of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach, and the Los Angeles Sports Council, and was inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame in 2025.

To those who knew him best, Jim was a private, thoughtful man who cherished his family above all. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary, and their sons, Bob and Mike. He treasured Sunday family dinners filled with lively discussions on racing, finance, and life, and was known as an avid reader and the person friends and colleagues naturally turned to for counsel.

Roger Penske captured the sentiment of the entire motorsports community when he said: “Jim was a leader of a small, passionate group who believed in the concept of bringing elite open-wheel competition to Long Beach in the 1970s… His vision and energy surrounding this great event remained boundless for 50 years, as no task was too small for Jim.”

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson added: “Jim didn’t just lead the Grand Prix—he lived it. His passion, warmth, and dedication turned an event into a tradition, and a tradition into a source of pride for generations of Long Beach residents.”

The family has requested privacy and no public services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Jim’s legacy are encouraged to support the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach or a motorsports-related charity of their choice.

The racing world has lost a true pioneer, a tireless champion of the sport he loved, and a gentleman who made Long Beach—and American motorsports—better for his half-century of service. He will be deeply missed.