IndyCar News: Reflecting on a Long Beach Grand Prix Legend

Most IndyCar fans do not know the names of people who work tirelessly to put on a street circuit event for the NTT INDYCAR Series. Jim Michaelian (pictured) founded the Long Beach Grand Prix Association in 1975 and was the president in 2025 and 2026. He built the event into the world’s most popular street-racing series. The former race car driver passed on March 22, 2026, just 4 weeks before the 51st event.

Jim Liaw became the successor to the job a little sooner than planned. Originally, Liaw was to shadow Michaelian this April and take over for the 2027 event.

Autoracing1 spoke with the new President and CEO today.

“Jim Michaelian brought Formula Drift into the Grand Prix in 2005, and that opened the doors for this series to be a permanent part of the city. And we moved our offices to Long Beach. A number of our employees moved to Long Beach, and it was a relationship that started and lasted even when I left Formula Drift in 2001, when I went to run the PRI show.”

“I still kept in contact with Jim. We would always see each other and just chat and see how things were. When I was asked to take over for him, the original plan was to come in in February, with the transition running through this race. By July, he would go into an advisory role, and I would step in. But obviously, that, unfortunately, accelerated.”

“Taking over is a lot. It’s a big event. But I feel a little bit at home. I’m really familiar with the city, and have been living in Southern California since I was seven years old. And so I know, you know, north, south, east, west, and all the freeways and everything. So, you know, the diverse culture and different pockets that is Southern California, and I think we need someone that knows the market. And I’m glad to fill the big gap that Jim left us.”

Alexander Rossi

Alexander Rossi received his medallion on Pine Avenue for the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame today, along with former Long Beach mayor Bob Foster.

Rossi added his thoughts on Jim during his acceptance speech today.

“I was able to spend a few minutes with Jim on the grid before the Arlington Grand Prix race. He was such an amazing supporter of every one of us as drivers for this event, and as everyone has touched on, he believed in it so much that it meant so much to him, and the success that it is now wouldn’t exist without him.”

“When you look at what this race means, outside of the Indianapolis 500, this is the flagship event in the NTT INDYCAR Series. And that’s mostly in part to what Jim has done, but really how the entire city has always embraced this championship and this series and all of us as drivers who, I think, you don’t have to pull the paddock very hard to get the response that this is, this is our favorite race, our favorite street circuit that we get the chance to compete on. And for me, personally, being from Northern California, this is always a very special place.”

Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon Photo courtesy of Penske Entertainment: Chris Jones

Scott Dixon and Jim Michaelian both received their medallions on Pine Avenue in last year’s ceremony. We spoke with Scott Dixon, a two-time winner here, about his thoughts on Jim.

“I guess for me, he set the standard, in a lot of ways, his work ethic. You know, probably the best moment for me was actually being inducted last year alongside Jim for the Long Beach Walk of Fame. And, just hearing the stories, hearing about his work ethic, what he did for you know from day one with the Long Beach Grand Prix and what he made it into was second to none.”

So it was a true honor to spend that time with him. And obviously, it’s sad to hear about his passing. I saw him from a distance at the race in Arlington, but didn’t actually get to catch up with him. Definitely a shame. But, a true legend of our sport, and obviously someone that worked extremely hard for us for as well. “

Robby Gordon

Robby Gordon and his Super Stadium Truck

Robby Gordon was born in Southern California. Gordon has raced in IndyCar and NASCAR, has competed in the Dakar Rally, and owns the Super Stadium Truck Series. The well-achieved racer received his medallion in 2015.

We spoke with Robby and got his thoughts on Jim Michaelian.

“Jim was a good friend. He was a mentor to me. I’m gonna miss Jim this weekend. The thing I’m gonna miss is nobody’s gonna come by and give me a high five. He was a great man. And he gave us a lot of opportunities with stadium super trucks. You know, if you look at where we went from Long Beach Grand Prix, and this all started with Jim and trust in me to be able to do this.”

“I’ve had him give me high fives before the race and yell at me at the end of the races because somebody crashed, and it wasn’t me, but obviously one of my cars crashed and did this, or did that, or they’re doing burnouts after the race, or whatever they might be doing, and I get yelled at for it. I’m gonna miss him this week, riding up on their scooter and either yelling at me or giving me the high five. That’s the thing I’m gonna miss the most. Our motto for this weekend is, “Do it for Jim.” Let’s have a good weekend. Let’s do it for Jim, and let’s have some fun. He would, he would want us to.”

There will be a sticker on every car racing this weekend as a tribute to Jim, who will be missed by all who knew him. I hope I have educated our readers on how important he was to Long Beach.

RIP Jim. This one is for you.

Lucille Dust reporting live from Long Beach, CA