The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, one of the most popular and successful events on the NTT IndyCar Series schedule, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
The race began in 2003 on the rival Champ Car Series schedule. After it was not contested in 2004, it was revived in 2005 by promoters Michael Andretti, Kevin Savoree and Kim Green.
It was the first Indy Racing League race run on a street or road course.
Savoree and Green spun off a new company in 2010 and, as Andretti focused on his racing team, the promotional duo has built one of the most successful street races in North America.
IndyCar Series fans stand in line for autographs during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. (IndyCar photo)
Combine the sunshine of Florida’s Gulf Coast, the picturesque backdrop of Tampa Bay, a vibrant, growing city in St. Petersburg, an enthusiastic and supportive local government and the St. Petersburg GP has become IndyCar’s version of spring break.
It’s fast cars on city streets surrounded by luxury condominiums and great restaurants in a city with vibrant nightlife. It’s also a perfect destination location for Snowbirds who want to escape the winter weather, soak up the sun and kick off the NTT IndyCar Series season.
“The people of St. Petersburg have wrapped their arms around this event,” IndyCar team owner Dale Coyne told SPEED SPORT. “You talk about Long Beach and how the race has made a difference in the area and St. Pete is the same way.
“Long Beach was the toilet of the area. We came along. The race got better. The area got better. They cleaned it up. Other businesses invested in the area and it grew.
“St. Petersburg is the same way. That whole area has gotten better. It’s a wonderful place to live now. It’s a young demographic that lives there. The downtown area has become hipper. It has grown. The race has been a big part of that, and the people support it.
“It’s a great race. I’m very happy that we start the season there.”
This year’s race will include improved grandstands with an extra five inches of space between each row to improve spectator comfort.
“Kim and I went out and invested in all new grandstands and suite infrastructure,” Kevin Savoree, co-owner, president and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions told SPEED SPORT. “The fans are going to be thrilled when they get here and have an extra five inches of legroom.
“Imagine that on an airline. They would be happy with that.
“We’re thrilled to make that investment.”
Green Savoree Racing Promotions organizes four NTT IndyCar Series races, starting with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 5. That is nearly one-fourth of the races on the 17-race schedule.
The other three events are the Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 2, the Honda Indy Toronto on July 16 and the Grand Prix of Portland on Sept. 3.
“It’s very valuable because they do four races in the series,” Coyne noted. “It’s good to have a promoter like that. It’s smart to do that so you can use your resources more than one weekend a year. Business-wise, that makes sense. They have the synergy between track sponsors and corporate sponsors they can take from race track to race track.
“They do a good job and I’m very glad they are there.”
Savoree is proud that even in the toughest of times during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, it was the only street race in the world that took place. The race was originally supposed to kick off the 2020 season on March 15 but was canceled on March 13.
Keyword: St. Petersburg: 20 Years & Still Going Strong