Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach President And CEO Jim Michaelian Dies

The late Jim Michaelian, President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach on April 04, 2023 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images) Getty Images Jim Michaelian, the driving force behind the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach for over 50 years, died on Saturday, March 21. The announcement of Michaelian’s passing was made by the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, and Penske Entertainment, the owners of North America’s greatest street race dating all the way back to 1975.

He was 83. “Everyone at Penske Entertainment and within the INDYCAR community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Michaelian,” said Penske Corporation President Roger Penske, the owner of IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and Penske Entertainment. “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, worked tirelessly to make it happen despite steep odds and then helped nurture the Grand Prix of Long Beach into becoming America’s premier street race.

His vision and energy surrounding this great event remained boundless for 50 years, as no task was too small for Jim even while he served in numerous leadership roles. Penske Entertainment is committed to honoring Jim’s legacy of putting fans and competitors first as we continue to build on the strong foundation he and his staff created for a half-century in Long Beach. “Our deepest sympathies are with his wife, Mary, and their sons, Bob and Mike.

” Jim Michaelian One Of The First Employees Of The Acura Grand Prix In 1975 Michaelian was one of the founding staff members of the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Over the past 51 years, Michaelian served as the Grand Prix Association’s Controller, Chief Operating Officer and, in December 2001, was named President & CEO. Under his leadership, the Acura Grand Prix event has grown into one of the premier street races in the world, blending top-level competition with major entertainment, civic, and business impact for the City of Long Beach.