Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame Honors Rossi, Foster

The two-time Grand Prix winner and former mayor are inducted, honoring the late race leader Jim Michaelian.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the motion and energy of the Long Beach Grand Prix race, with overlapping planes of color representing the cars, drivers, and spectacle of the event.The Long Beach Grand Prix's storied history is celebrated through the induction of key figures into the city's Motorsports Walk of Fame.Long Beach Today

The Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame inducted IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi, a two-time winner of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, and former Long Beach mayor Bob Foster, who was the first city leader to experience a ride-along in a two-seat IndyCar. The ceremony also recognized the recent passing of Jim Michaelian, one of the race's co-founders and the event's president and CEO from 2001 until his death.

Why it matters

The Long Beach Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious and historic races in IndyCar, second only to the Indianapolis 500. Inducting key figures like Rossi and Foster into the Motorsports Walk of Fame honors the race's legacy and the individuals who have contributed to its success over the decades.

The details

Rossi, who won the Long Beach Grand Prix in 2018 and 2019, said the induction has deeper meaning now that he is a new father. Foster's son, Kenny, accepted the honor on behalf of his late father, who loved the cars, speed, and having IndyCar in the city. Both Rossi and Kenny Foster recognized Michaelian, who was instrumental in growing the event into a worldwide racing destination over his 51 years on the Grand Prix Association's board of directors.

  • The Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame induction ceremony took place on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • Jim Michaelian, one of the race's co-founders and the event's president and CEO from 2001 until his death, passed away just four months after former Long Beach mayor Bob Foster.

The players

Alexander Rossi

A two-time winner of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, who was recently inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.

Bob Foster

The former two-term mayor of Long Beach, who was the city's first leader to experience a ride-along in a two-seat IndyCar and was posthumously inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.

Jim Michaelian

One of the co-founders of the Long Beach Grand Prix and the event's president and CEO from 2001 until his recent passing, who was honored during the induction ceremony.

Kenny Foster

The son of former Long Beach mayor Bob Foster, who accepted the induction honor on behalf of his late father.

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What they’re saying

“This is something that's going to be here forever. I think when you're in your career you don't really get a chance to actually reflect on things you've done, but I've been fortunate to be a part of this race and accomplish so much.”

— Alexander Rossi

“Being able to bring your family to honor a father's accomplishments, being a new dad, that resonates with me pretty closely. These moments certainly remind you of that.”

— Alexander Rossi

“He loved everything about this weekend. He loved the cars and loved the speed. He wasn't a big fan of the noise, but he loved having IndyCar come to his city.”

— Kenny Foster, Son of former Long Beach mayor Bob Foster

“He was such an amazing supporter of every one of us as drivers. The success of what this event is now wouldn't exist without him (and) how the entire city has always embraced this series and all of us.”

— Alexander Rossi

“There's still a bunch of photos online of my dad and Jim laughing at different races over the years. They used to have so much fun. I think that's pretty cool.”

— Kenny Foster, Son of former Long Beach mayor Bob Foster

What’s next

The Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame will continue to honor influential figures in the city's racing history, with future inductions planned to celebrate the event's legacy.

The takeaway

The induction of Alexander Rossi and the late Bob Foster into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame underscores the deep connection between the city, the Grand Prix race, and the individuals who have shaped its success over the decades. Even as the event and the sport evolve, this ceremony ensures the contributions of key figures like Jim Michaelian will be remembered.