Thrive
St. Pete Grand Prix will propel storm recovery efforts
Local leaders believe the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will set new attendance, viewership and economic impact records. The influx of cash and positive exposure couldn’t come at a more opportune time.
The race-turned-four-day festival begins Feb. 27, as many area residents and businesses are still recovering from an unprecedented 2024 hurricane season. Brian Lowack, CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, expects the marquee motorsports event to generate over $60 million.
Lowack joined Mayor Ken Welch, event organizers, drivers and several other area stakeholders Thursday morning along the downtown waterfront to celebrate the 21st annual running of the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. Fox will prominently feature the idyllic backdrop when broadcasting the NTT IndyCar series opener to a national and global audience.
“It’s the perfect time for our community to come together and celebrate, even as we rebuild from the storms of 2024,” Welch said. “We’re able to show folks that St. Pete is up and running – we’re back, we haven’t been devastated and the debris is gone.
“It’s a postcard for what St. Pete is.”
Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, touts the Grand Prix’s benefits, standing between an IndyCar and Mazda MX5 Series racecar.
That postcard will reach over 200 countries. Fox, known for its NASCAR coverage, has replaced NBC as IndyCar’s broadcaster, and the Grand Prix is the new partnership’s inaugural event.
Kevin Savoree, co-owner of event promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions, said the coverage would reach millions of households. He noted Fox has already “done so much” to promote the series and Grand Prix during NFL games.
“I think we’re going to set a record on Fox as a first event,” Savoree said.
Lowack said the race would attract over 200,000 people to St. Petersburg and “keep registers ringing” at area shops, restaurants and museums. Attendees will also account for more than 15,000 overnight stays.
“Last year’s numbers were record-breaking,” Lowack said. “There’s a chance we beat that this year.”
Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Grand Prix is part of the city’s DNA. He also believes Savoree and his co-owner, Kim Green, embody the area’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Steinocher noted the promoters have attracted prominent companies and other entrepreneurs to St. Petersburg. He called the Grand Prix a celebration of the city’s culture, disguised as a race.
“For those watching around the world, we have been hit hard by hurricanes, but look at our streets,” Steinocher added. “You will see cars riding around our streets at 200 mph. You can get around in our community.”
Crews have already installed grandstands along storm-damaged Albert Whitted Airport’s runways. The city began repairing the municipal facility in mid-January, and Welch told the Catalyst that initial work should conclude before the race.
A massive, temporary dock will house hundreds of yachts.
A temporary yacht club is under construction, and over 300 workers will begin establishing the 1.8-mile street course Monday. Savoree said they will build the track in 15 days.
He called that “pretty remarkable,” considering the original city agreement gave the promoters 75 days to complete the course. Green said he and Savoree increased their construction funding and worked with the city to minimize disruptions.
Kevin Kirkwood, a driver for Andretti Global, finished seventh in points in 2024, his fourth season in IndyCar. The Jupiter native finished 12th at the previous Grand Prix and eagerly anticipates another shot at the winner’s circle in his home state.
“It’s a three, three-and-a-half-hour drive – if I’m going a little slower – from Jupiter,” Kirkwood said. “So, I got a lot of family and friends who come out to this event. It’s just a wonderful environment here.”
However, Green noted the Grand Prix has become “more than just a race”: The fourth annual Party in the Park is Thursday, Feb. 27, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
That free event will feature drivers, live music, vendors, special guests and a parade of IndyCars around North Straub Park. The Party in the Park coincides with a 5K charity run on the Grand Prix track.
Green expects the 5K to attract over 1,200 participants. Proceeds will go to the St. Petersburg Police Athletic League; the event has raised more than $300,000.
Burgeoning professional drivers will compete in several preliminary races throughout the weekend. The festivities culminate with the Grand Prix at noon Sunday, March 2.
Green said Fox’s secondary networks will also broadcast practice and qualify events. “So, we’re expecting to see as much as seven hours of live TV coverage.”
For tickets to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, visit the website here.
Nearly every speaker at Thursday’s event noted the Grand Prix would bolster the area’s storm recovery efforts.
