Toyota will "continue to be the name sponsor of the Grand Prix of Long Beach" despite moving its North American HQ from Southern California to Plano, Texas, but the automaker will "discontinue the celebrity race" that has long been part of the IndyCar weekend, according to a front-page piece by Tim Grobaty of the Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM. Toyota has sponsored the IndyCar race since '80, and it will "continue its alliance" through the '17 race at least as part of a new multiyear deal that goes into effect this year. However, Grand Prix of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian said Toyota was unable to "commit to providing the support that's required" for the celebrity race, which will be celebrating its 40th and final running on April 16. Michaelian: "We're looking into other things right now to bring in something that might match the celebrity race, but it'll be tough." Grobaty notes in a "bittersweet celebration" of the event, both Toyota and the Grand Prix Association are "bringing back 21 past participants of the race, most of them former winners" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 3/10).
