I first attended the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2013. It was my first IndyCar street race. I thought the event was okay, the race was good, and I fell in love with the city of St. Pete. I remember very few signs advertising the race around the downtown, and while I saw potential for growth, I wondered how solid the community support was. Still, I came back every year except 2020. There has been phenomenal growth of the event.

Starting in early February it is evident that a race is taking place. There are street post banners, and the number of businesses sporting checkered flags and bunting seems to increase annually. Green Savoree Promotions and the city have worked together to make the Grand Prix the city’s premier event. Two years ago I noticed how much more difficult it had become to walk through the midway area. This race is now comparable to Long Beach as far as excitement.

Putting on a successful street race takes community buy in, cooperation from the city council, and a promoter willing to work with the city. St. Pete checks all those boxes.

For example, the city allows the Grand Prix 75 days to build the track, run the race, and tear down the track. This year Green Savoree will use just 27 days starting this coming Monday. The Road to Indy will have a test session on the track February 27.

The event plans to improve the general admission experience with gathering points where fans can watch the race on big screen televisions.

Per the press kit, a new champions wall has been added to accommodate recent and future winners. the following quote from Green Savoree:

“A third wall will be constructed and added to the monument ahead of the 2025 event to make space for recent and future race winner plaques to be added, including victories by Scott McLaughlin in 2022, Marcus Ericsson in 2023 and Pato O’Ward in 2024.”

I have enjoyed watching the St. Pete race grow.