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Long Beach Grand Prix Names Jim Liaw CEO in Planned 2026 Transition

Penske Entertainment presents the change as a planned handoff to align the storied race with its broader IndyCar strategy.

Long Beach, Calif., — 02-19-13- From left to right, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, Formula DRIFT President & Co-Founder Jim Liaw and Stephen Papadakis, owner of Papadakis Racing, helped kickoff the first full day of construction on the 1.97-mile Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach temporary race circuit through the downtown streets of Long Beach. The Super Drift Challenge, held on Friday and Saturday nights during race weekend. Also the all-new Scion FR-S car,left, will be driven by participants in the 2013 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race….Stephen Carr/ Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian describes the upcoming 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Thursday, February 20, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian poses for a photograph in Long Beach on Thursday, November 14, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Overview

  • Grand Prix Association of Long Beach said Jim Michaelian will move to a new role at Penske Entertainment on June 30, 2026.
  • Jim Liaw is set to become President and CEO on July 1, 2026, after serving as temporary general manager starting February 9, 2026.
  • Michaelian will lead operations for the April 17–19, 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach while working alongside Liaw for continuity.
  • Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles praised Michaelian’s legacy and endorsed Liaw to build on the event’s recent growth.
  • The handover follows Penske’s purchase of the Grand Prix Association just over a year ago, with the 2025 weekend drawing a modern-era record of more than 200,000 fans.