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Long Beach Grand Prix Sets Succession: Jim Liaw to Succeed Jim Michaelian in July 2026

A phased plan brings in a PRI and Formula Drift veteran as interim GM in February to maintain continuity under Penske Entertainment stewardship.

Overview

  • Grand Prix Association of Long Beach announced that Jim Michaelian will move to a Penske Entertainment role on June 30, with Jim Liaw becoming president and CEO on July 1.
  • Liaw will start as temporary general manager on February 9, 2026 to help run the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
  • Michaelian, 82, will oversee operations through the April 17–19, 2026 race weekend before completing the handoff.
  • Penske Entertainment, which owns the Grand Prix Association, framed the event as a strategic priority and praised Michaelian’s decades of leadership.
  • Liaw, 50, brings experience as Performance Racing Industry’s general manager and as co-founder of Formula Drift, following a 2025 Long Beach weekend that drew more than 200,000 fans.