Drivers James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay, will be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame on Thursday, April 13, ahead of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Hinchcliffe and Hunter-Reay will be inducted during a free, open-to-the-public ceremony where each will unveil a 22-inch bronze medallion featuring renditions of their iconic cars and descriptions of their major achievements, permanently enshrining their contributions to motorsports on the Walk of Fame.
Toronto-born Hinchcliffe won the Grand Prix in 2017 and finished third in 2012 and is now an INDYCAR commentator for NBC.
“I thought Jim had the wrong email!” Hinchcliffe said about being notified by Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian. “Seriously, it’s such a huge honor. This race is one of my favorites, if not the favorite, on the calendar and has been for a long, long time. That email was one of the best things I could have gotten; the list of the people on it are some of my heroes. It’s a huge, huge honor. Winning Long Beach in 2017 was a really special moment.”
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Hunter-Reay, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., won the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2010, and later won the 2012 IndyCar championship and the 2014 Indianapolis 500 during an IndyCar career of 19 seasons that included 18 wins.
“The Grand Prix of Long Beach has essentially been a cornerstone of my racing career,” said Hunter-Reay. “What an honor it is to be inducted into the Walk of Fame. This circuit has always been one that suited me naturally. The best all-around street course in the world, no doubt. My wife, Beccy, and I got engaged during the 2009 race weekend. The highlight on track was dedicating my 2010 win to my Mom, Lydia, who lost her battle with cancer late 2009 and Long Beach was her favorite race of the season.”