By: Spencer Neff
April 21, 2024

2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Results

Scott Dixon’s legacy has included a strong reputation as one of the best fuel-savers INDYCAR has seen.

In Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver turned in another masterclass on fuel mileage. Dixon won for the second time on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn street course in California. The Australia-born New Zealander led 42 of 85 laps, including the final 24 and earned his 57th career win, 10 away from A.J. Foyt’s INDYCAR record.

He also ties Will Power and Sebastien Bourdais for most wins on road and street courses with 32.

Dixon, who finished .9798 of a second ahead of Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, extends his series records for most consecutive seasons with a victory to 20 and seasons with a victory to 22.

Teammate Alex Palou finished third with points leader Josef Newgarden following up his victory at St. Petersburg with a fourth-place effort. Herta’s teammate Marcus Ericsson would give Honda four drivers in the Top Five. Pole winner Felix Rosenqvist finished ninth for Meyer Shank Racing.

Chip Ganassi Racing, who last won at Long Beach in 2015 with Dixon, also scores their first double podium at the California venue. CGR now has seven victories at Long Beach, equaling the mark set by Team Penske.

Race Recap

Team Penske’s Will Power swept by Rosenqvist into Turn after the green flag was displayed on Lap 2. The pole sitter would drop to sixth on the first stint.

O’Ward was assessed a drive-through penalty after early contact with Arrow McLaren teammate Rossi. Rossi was forced to pit seven laps earlier with left-rear damage.

On Lap 16, rookie Christian Rasmussen saw his Long Beach debut end prematurely after spinning in Turn 4. Rasmussen made contact with Dale Coyne Racing’s Jack Harvey, ending the day for both racers. The caution would be displayed for the second time in the race.

Power would opt for an early pit stop during the ensuing yellow flag period, allowing Newgarden to lead. Further back, Lundgaard made contact with Kirkwood on pit lane and was given an Unsafe Release penalty. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver would relinquish eight spots.

Newgarden would begin a cycle of pit stops on Lap 30 which led to Dixon inheriting the race lead by Lap 34.

Continuing a massive fuel save, Dixon would again cycle back to the lead on Lap 61 when Herta and Palou made their final pit stops.

With nine laps to go, Newgarden’s car went into anti-stall mode after contact with Herta in the Turn 11 hairpin. Palou was able to sneak by as Newgarden lost a shot at the podium. Herta was able to close the gap but would settle for second.

After a late call-up to fill-in for the injured David Malukas, Arrow McLaren’s Théo Pourchaire improved a race-high 11 spots and finished 11th, best among the rookies.

Today’s 85-lap race featured 8 lead changes. Six drivers would exchange the lead in a race slowed by one four-lap caution for an average speed of 98.350 mph.

Newgarden leads Dixon by 12 points two races into the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign.

Up Next

Next weekend, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES hits the first permanent road course of the year at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama.

First practice for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix will be held on Friday from 3:40 PM – 4:55 PM ET.

Second Practice and Qualifying will take place on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. ET and 3:30 p.m. ET respectively.

Final warmup is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, April 28. The 90-lap race will have broadcast coverage on NBC at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.

IndyCar1909 will have all the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES via our website and social media.

Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR