Sting Ray Robb was among several drivers who appeared at the annual IndyCar Party in the Park.
Photo by Irena Mesa | The Crow’s Nest
By Julia Birdsall and Alisha Durosier
Kaitlyn Bears has been attending the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg since its first year in the city, over 20 years ago.
She told The Crow’s Nest that it is her “favorite weekend of the year.”
“I’ve always loved it and when they came to St. Pete, [my family and I have] just been going ever since,” noting that attending the race is a family tradition that grew from her father’s and grandfather’s love of racing.
Now, more than two decades on, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has once again transformed the city’s downtown waterfront into a street-circuit.
“It has been the first race of the IndyCar season… for a very long time,” Bears said. “It’s really the excitement of the season starting… everybody starts at zero.”
The St. Petersburg Grand Prix kicks off IndyCar’s official season, setting the tone and creating a unique sense of enthusiasm among drivers and fans alike.
“It’s probably one of the most exciting events we have, I mean, since we kick off the season here,” Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou told The Crow’s Nest at the Feb. 26 Grand Prix Flag Raising outside of St. Petersburg’s city hall.
Palou, a four-time IndyCar Series championship holder, clinched last year’s NTT IndyCar Series victory at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
“We’ve been preparing a lot,” he said. “And we’ve been very busy during the off-season.”
But according to Palou, nothing compares to competing against other teams.
“We’ve been waiting a long time,” Juncos Hollinger Racing driver, Sting Ray Robb said. “Six months out of the car and we finally get to get back in, so I think that’s probably my favorite thing, that we’re finally back racing.”
At the Feb. 26 IndyCar Party in the Park, Robb told The Crow’s Nest that St. Petersburg is a great city to compete in for opening weekend.
“There’s a lot of excitement, lots of anticipation and I think that usually makes for good racing,” he said.
In addition to NTT IndyCar and IndyNXT, the Grand Prix will also host the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which will make its street-race debut on Feb. 28.
This year’s Grand Prix will signify another first for homegrown driver Nikita Johnson, who will be participating in his first full IndyNXT season this year.
“[I’m] super thrilled. I mean, it’s such a tough category, so to be in it again and for my first full year is amazing,” Johnson told The Crow’s Nest at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Kickoff party he hosted on Feb. 25. “Hopefully we can pull off a few wins. And of course, the main goal is to get to IndyCar for next year.”
This year’s kickoff party was hosted at O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille.
Community members, like Gulf Port resident Bobbi Jo have attended the kickoff party every year in support of Johnson.
She has a tradition that began four years ago, shortly after she moved to the area, where she takes a selfie with him.
“The first time I met him, he was such a young kid,” she said.
When she returned to the party each year, after having heard of Johnson’s accomplishments, she felt proud each time.
“Just look at everybody here,” Bobbi Jo said, referring to the kick-off party’s attendees. “Every year, there’s people here. I just think whenever there’s somebody in your community that works that hard and that is dedicated to something, you want to rally around them and give them the support that they need.”
Robb also made note of the supportive atmosphere he experienced from the Tampa Bay area.
“I think [St. Petersburg is] very welcoming. I mean, the Party in the Park is obviously a great event for that as well,” he said. “It feels very integral to what the city is about and so it’s very easy to reach the community here.”
Abby Dean attended the race last year as a fan and this year decided to volunteer with Firestone’s engagement team.
“I think sports have such a unique ability to bring people together,” Dean told The Crow’s Nest. “I think it’s great to have an event where everyone, of all different backgrounds can come out and just be together and watch the race.”
NTT IndyCar and IndyCar NXT will host their races on Mar. 1 and will be televised on FOX Sports.
