The 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is in the Books

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
Round 3 of 17 in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES
RACE NOTES / QUOTES – Sunday, April 13, 2025

THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ACURA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH IS IN THE BOOKS; FOSTER, RAHAL AND DEFRANCESCO FINISHED 16TH, 22ND AND 24TH RESPECTIVELY

GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 Fleet Cost & Care Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “On the first two stints I was just hanging with Malukas, Power, Rossi and that group. I didn’t really gain anything on the undercut. They all covered and still came out ahead, which is okay I guess and kind of to be expected I suppose. I thought the first two stops were great, but we had a little fueling issue and came out four gallons too short which meant that I was on a major fuel save the rest of my day. The fuel number we were trying to get was a savings of 16 percent on every single lap which is a huge number and unfortunately it put us on the back foot. We’re going to keep our heads down and keep working on every area. We’re disappointed but we will be stronger in Barber and also look forward to going to the Indy Grand Prix, where we’ve been very strong.”

• FAST FACTS: He started 16th and finished 22nd. On his second of three pit stops, there was a false read on the fueling level and he returned to the track four gallons short of the intended fuel amount… Was his 18th Champ/Indy car race here and 19th overall. His best IndyCar start here is fifth in 2007 and best finish is second place in 2013. In 2024, he started 12th and pit from fifth place on an alternate strategy for his second stop and a fueling issue added an additional 12 seconds, which dropped him four spots at the time and valuable track position. A top-10 finish was in sight but he had to settle for 17th place. In 2023, he started 24th and finished 12th and in 2022, he started 13th and on the final lap he had a run on Dixon but was unable to pass and took the checkered flag in seventh place. In 2021, he ran as high as second place two times and led four laps but the timing of a caution while he was on his in-lap for his final pit stop dropped him to 20th. He came back to finish 16th… A recap of results is available on request… He also competed in the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Series race here… Has SIX IndyCar Series wins (2008 – St. Pete street course; 2015 – Fontana Super Speedway, Mid-Ohio road course; 2016 – Texas Super Speedway; 2017 Detroit Race 1, Detroit Race 2) and FIVE poles (2009 – St. Pete street course, Kansas oval; 2017 – Detroit Race 1 street; 2024 IMS road course 2, Portland) and his highest series season-ending standing is fourth place in 2015.

DEVLIN DEFRANCESCO, No. 30 Mi-Jack Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “It was a tough day for us. We lost a little time on the first stop and we were missing a few tenths, pace-wise generally so we will analyze the reason for that. I’m looking forward to getting back to the Barber road course for the next race. We had good pace there in the test.”

• FAST FACTS: He started 23rd in his third race here and finished 24th. His highest start is 17th in 2022 and highest finish is 16th in 2023 – both with Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport. His season highlight to date in the first two races, was being the top team qualifier in St. Pete in 14th place and was on target for a top 10 finish there until a punctured tire forced him to pit and lose valuable positions. He ultimately finished 22nd in the race.

LOUIS FOSTER, No. 45 Mi-Jack Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We gained four spots on the day. It’s obviously good to move upwards. We had a decent start and passed a few cars. The middle stages weren’t our best, I don’t think, but towards the end, that’s where we really did a good job. I managed to get past quite a few cars; did quite a few overtakes today and I’m pretty happy with that result. Had we started farther up, we would have had a better end result. Realistically I think the only thing we can blame for having a P16 was not having the best qualifying session so we will continue to work on that. To get my first solid, proper INDYCAR race under my belt and to do a good job is something I’m happy about.”

• FAST FACTS: He started 20th and finished 16th, for his top INDYCAR finish…This was his first time to race on the streets of Long Beach. He earned his first top-10 start in the series at the previous race at The Thermal Club but wasn’t able to maintain that position by the checkered flag.  After having lived in LA while attending college, he is looking forward to his first race in the legendary event and creating some momentum.

NEXT UP: Round 4 of 17 in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take place on Sunday, May 4. Prior to that, Louis Foster will test at WorldWide Technology Raceway on Wednesday, April 16.