California native Alexander Rossi capped a perfect weekend at the 45th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach by winning Sunday’s race by a record margin, and becoming the first repeat champion on the downtown street course in 12 years.
WATCH trackside video with quotes from Rossi
Rossi is the eighth multiple champion in Long Beach history, and just the sixth to win consecutive races. Sébastien Bourdais won the final three Champ Car races here from 2005 to 2007. Rossi’s margin of victory, 20.23 seconds, was the largest in Long Beach since Al Unser Jr.’s 23-second win in 1995.
“This is very similar to the Indy 500 where you’re next to legendary names in the sport,” Rossi said of his Long Beach wins. “That’s special. This is an amazing event. It’s a whole entertainment weekend experience, and I think Long Beach does that very well.”
Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and CEO Jim Michaelian said in a statement, “Awaiting the final audit, it appears that this year’s event exceeded last year’s total of 185,300, which should put the total for this year’s event at about 187,000.”
READ MORE about Rossi’s win and Sunday at the races
MORE PHOTOS & COVERAGE from the other races and events
Here are some great photos from Sunday by Joseph Kling and Jayna Kling.
