Rock legend Bret Michaels named honorary starter of tomorrow's Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding

Michaels performs a live concert tonight on plaza between Duke Energy Center for the Arts and Dali Museum

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 9, 2024) - Multi-platinum music icon Bret Michaels will wave the green flag over the 27-car NTT INDYCAR SERIES starting field tomorrow at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET as the honorary starter of the 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. He joins the pre-race festivities which include St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and three past mayors as grand marshals along with fellow rock legend Jon Bon Jovi who will ride in the “Fastest Seat in Sports.”

Rosenqvist tops charts with new team at St. Petersburg

Felix Rosenqvist wasted no time settling into his new surroundings at Meyer Shank Racing, leading the first practice of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season Friday on the streets of St. Petersburg.

Rosenqvist, who moved to MSR during the offseason after three seasons at Arrow McLaren, led the 27-car field with a top lap of 1 minute, .3390 of a second in the No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit. That was nearly a half-second quicker than his closest pursuer, Pato O’Ward, second at 1:00.8112 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and past mayors named grand marshals of the 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding

Adding to the pre-race festivities, legendary musician Jon Bon Jovi to ride in Fastest Seat in Sports with three-time St. Petersburg winner Helio Castroneves

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 6, 2024) - All four St. Petersburg mayors who have held the city’s top office since the inaugural Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding in 2005 will serve as grand marshals for the race event’s 20th annual running this weekend, March 8-10. 

NBC Sports, INDYCAR Announce INDY NXT by Firestone Schedule on Peacock

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024) – NBC Sports and INDYCAR revealed the schedule for the 2024 INDY NXT by Firestone season, with all 14 races streaming live in the United States on Peacock.

The season for INDYCAR’s official development series starts Sunday, March 10 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock. The series then will criss-cross the United States for the next six months, with the season finale Sunday, Sept. 15 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Rock icon Jon Bon Jovi to be special guest at St. Petersburg

Legendary Musician To Ride in Fastest Seat in Sports with Castroneves

Legendary musician Jon Bon Jovi will be a special guest of Meyer Shank Racing and SiriusXM at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on March 9-10, with a variety of activities that include a ride from a fellow legend in the Fastest Seat in Sports.

Ericsson Climbs to Top Late as Sebring Test Finishes

SEBRING, Fla. (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024) – It appears Marcus Ericsson is settling in nicely at Andretti Global.

2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Ericsson led the second day of NTT INDYCAR SERIES testing Feb. 27 at Sebring International Raceway, turning a top lap of 51.9512 seconds in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda. Ericsson joins Andretti Global this season after racing the last four seasons for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Palou Fastest as St. Pete Preparation Intensifies at Sebring Test

SEBRING, Fla. (Monday, Feb. 26, 2024) – Less than two weeks before the start of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Alex Palou is starting right where he stopped in 2023 – on top.

Reigning and two-time series champion Palou led the first day of a two-day test Feb. 26 on the short circuit at Sebring International Raceway, turning a top lap of 52.0883 seconds in the No. 10 DHL Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing. Testing was separated into morning and afternoon sessions, with Palou’s best lap coming in the afternoon on the notoriously bumpy, challenging circuit.

Keel Farms to be the Official Wine Partner of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding

Tampa, FL, February 23rd: Keel Farms is proud to announce its partnership with the 2024 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. As part of their partnership, Keel Farms will have its own activation at the racetrack, with wine, cider and exciting giveaway items. In addition to being the Official Wine Partner of the event, Keel Farms is also a sponsor of Tampa native and INDY NXT by Firestone driver No. 11, Nolan Allaer. Allaer currently races internationally throughout the United Kingdom and United States. He is a third generation competitive driver, and spent his childhood at the racetrack watching his father, uncle and grandfather compete in SCCA club events around the country.

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