What Is 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was held on April 9, 2017, in Long Beach, California. It was the second round of the 2017 IndyCar Series season, won by defending champion Simon Pagenaud driving for Team Penske.

Key Facts

The race occurred on April 9, 2017, marking the second round of the 2017 IndyCar Series.
Simon Pagenaud, driving for Team Penske, won the race with a time of 1:47:32.6678.
The event took place on the 1.968-mile temporary street circuit in downtown Long Beach.
Pagenaud started from 3rd position and led 37 of the 85 laps.
This was the 43rd running of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, first held in 1975.

Overview

The 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was a pivotal event in the IndyCar Series calendar, drawing top drivers and tens of thousands of fans to the scenic streets of Long Beach, California. Held annually since 1975, the race is one of the longest-running street circuit events in North American motorsports history.

As the second race of the 17-race 2017 IndyCar Series season, the event followed the season opener in St. Petersburg and set the tone for early championship momentum. The race featured 24 drivers competing over 85 laps on a 1.968-mile temporary circuit lined with grandstands, barriers, and ocean views.

Simon Pagenaud claimed victory after a strategic final pit stop and strong late-race pace, finishing with a time of 1:47:32.6678 and earning 50 championship points.
The race covered a total distance of 167.28 miles (85 laps × 1.968 miles), completed in just under two hours including cautions and pit stops.
Josef Newgarden finished second, just 1.8 seconds behind Pagenaud, while Hélio Castroneves completed the podium in third place.
There were four caution periods totaling 18 laps, triggered by crashes involving drivers like Max Chilton and Graham Rahal.
The event attracted an estimated 160,000 spectators over the weekend, making it one of the most-attended single-race events in the series.

How It Works

The Grand Prix of Long Beach combines street racing, advanced timing systems, and team strategy to deliver a high-stakes motorsport spectacle. Each team deploys engineers, pit crews, and real-time data analytics to optimize performance on a tight, technical layout.

Qualifying Format: Drivers compete in three rounds (Q1, Q2, Q3) to determine starting positions. In 2017, Will Power secured pole position with a lap of 1:06.8627 despite Pagenaud starting third.
Race Duration: The event lasted 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 32 seconds, with average speeds reaching 94.7 mph due to frequent pit stops and caution laps.
Track Layout: The 1.968-mile circuit includes 11 turns and features a long backstretch along Shoreline Drive and a tight hairpin at Turn 1.
Team Strategy: Teams must balance fuel efficiency, tire wear, and pit stop timing; Pagenaud’s crew executed a crucial under-10-second stop during the final caution.
Championship Points: The winner earned 50 points, second place received 40, and third earned 35, shaping early standings in the 2017 title race.
Safety Protocols: The IndyCar Series uses the Safety Car and Full Course Yellow systems to manage incidents, with four cautions deployed in 2017.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 race can be better understood by comparing it to recent editions in terms of winner, margin of victory, and attendance.

Year	Winner	Team	Margin of Victory	Attendance
2015	Mike Conway	Andretti Autosport	0.267 seconds	135,000
2016	Simon Pagenaud	Team Penske	2.8 seconds	155,000
2017	Simon Pagenaud	Team Penske	1.8 seconds	160,000
2018	Josef Newgarden	Penske	0.8 seconds	158,000
2019	Colton Herta	Harding Steinbrenner	1.5 seconds	152,000

This table highlights Pagenaud’s dominance in 2016 and 2017, with consistent performance and growing fan interest. The 2017 race maintained close competition, with a narrow 1.8-second margin, reflecting the tight nature of street circuit racing.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach had significant implications for the IndyCar Series, driver standings, and the sport’s visibility in the U.S. It showcased the blend of skill, technology, and strategy required to win on a demanding track.

Simon Pagenaud extended his championship lead after two races, positioning himself as a favorite for the 2017 title.
The race demonstrated the competitiveness of Team Penske, which placed two drivers in the top three (Pagenaud and Castroneves).
Long Beach’s status as a marquee event was reinforced, drawing network television coverage on NBCSN and international streaming.
Advancements in aero kit performance were evident, with all teams using the new universal Dallara chassis introduced in 2017.
The event boosted local tourism, generating an estimated $40 million in economic impact for Long Beach.
Younger drivers like Max Chilton and Tony Kanaan gained exposure, helping grow the sport’s next generation of fans.

Overall, the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was a landmark event that combined tradition, competition, and economic impact, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of American open-wheel racing.