Mar 7, 2024 - Things to Do

What to know about the 2024 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Selene San Felice

racecars line up on a track with the Dali Museum in the background — The start of the 2018 Saint Petersburg Grand Prix Pirelli World Challenge GT race. Photo: Brian Cleary/Getty Images

The 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off Thursday. It's the first of 17 rounds of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule and the only series race held in Florida.

The 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary waterfront course includes downtown streets circling Pioneer Park, Mahaffey Theater, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runway of Albert Whitted Airport.
Eight races will happen in the weekend-long event, including the 100-lap NTT IndyCar Series on Sunday.

The big picture: Last year's race generated an economic impact of about $61 million, according to a study conducted on behalf of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.

👟 Before tires hit the course, sneakers will. A 5K run starts Thursday at 5:30pm on Bayshore Drive NE, coinciding with a free party in North Straub Park, 5-7:30pm, where fans can see race cars up close and get driver autographs.

🎸 Bret Michaels will perform live after the racing ends on Saturday.

A new race debuts this year: The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, the first-ever race for the series on a street course.

What we're watching: Racers are still trying to beat speed records set in 2022 for 100-lap race distance, qualifying lap time and race lap.

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What to know about the 2024 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

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