The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Hits the Streets of Downtown in Just One Week
One of the Premier Events of St. Petersburg’s Thriving Social Calendar Has Arrived
When you call The Residences at 400 Central your home, you live where you vacation. St. Petersburg is an eclectic coastal city known for its thriving art scene, selection of top-notch restaurants, vibrant nightlife, boutique shopping, and award-winning white sand beaches. It fittingly holds the moniker “Sunshine City” for its record-breaking average of 361 days of sunshine per year. & When you live in the Sunshine City, outdoor festivities fill up your weekends all year long. From two-day concerts to fine arts festivals, sporting events, and regattas, there is never a shortage of activity, and it’s never too chilly to step outside. One thing that locals and visitors alike will most certainly agree on is that few St. Pete events are as iconic as Grand Prix weekend.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will take over the streets of downtown St. Pete from March 3-5, 2023. Typically the season opener for the IndyCar Series, or at least the first race in the States for the season, the race has taken place in Tampa Bay for nearly four decades, dating back to 1985. Now in its official 19th year, 2003 brought the arrival of IndyCars racing through St. Petersburg and on to the runway of Albert Whitted Airport. This year’s Grand Prix will feature 10 races, highlighted by the IndyCar season opener that Sunday at 12:30, which will air on NBC.
The events rev up on the Thursday of race week with the Wellcare Ambetter Health 5K charity run. The run along the downtown waterside track benefits the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg and will take place for the first time since 2019. The run will coincide with the second annual INDYCAR Party in the Park, from 5:30-8 pm in North Straub Park, positioned between Bayshore Dr. NE and Beach Dr. NE along the waterfront. Open to the public, INDYCAR Party in the Park will feature special guests, including NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers, music, giveaways, food, drink, and official race cars on display for up close viewing.
On Friday, the weekend really takes off. The St. Petersburg Grand Prix is not only a thrilling race but also offers a variety of activities and events for fans to enjoy from Friday through Sunday.
Things To Check Out at The Grand Prix:
The Race: The main attraction of the St. Petersburg Grand Prix is, of course, the high-speed street race featuring some of the best drivers in the world. A ticketed event, be sure to grab tickets in order to catch all the action from the grandstands or around the circuit.
The Paddock: The paddock is the area where the teams prepare their cars and where the drivers and teams are based during the race weekend. It’s a great opportunity to see the cars up close and maybe even meet some of the drivers. Usually reserved for those with Paddock Passes, the Firestone Paddock will be open to the public on Green Flag Friday.
The Fan Village: The Fan Village is a fun and interactive area where you can find a wide range of activities and entertainment. You can find interactive displays, games, live music, karting, simulators, autograph sessions and more.
The Pit Pass: A pit lane walk gives fans the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the race and see the teams and drivers up close. A Pit Pass provides 3-day access to the pit lane on the track, with the exception of during Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race.
The City: St. Petersburg is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. Don’t forget to take some time to explore the city and take in the sights and sounds of the local area, from The Pier to the beautiful art museums, drinking and dining.
Just one of many vibrant and exciting weekends each year — when you live in the center of St. Petersburg there is never a shortage of something new to explore. Discover paradise in the heart of the Sunshine City. Discover life at The Residences at 400 Central.
