San Diego Yu Yu, May 16,2016

The Californian Alexander Rossi
Marco Andretti posing for pre-race photos
Takuma Sato ready to go!
Helio Castroneves
Josef Newgarden
Long Beach, CA was the second stop
of the 2017 Indycar season and it
did not disappoint! Pole sitter Helio
Castroneves seemed to be a lock
to run away with the race after setting the
course record during qualifying. But on race
day it was a different story. Scott Dixon in the
#9 NTT Data car quickly went to the front of
the field and lead for much of the race. But
he too would cave to the pressure of a fast
field of cars behind him. Andretti Autosport
driver Ryan Hunter-Reay would eventually
make his way to the front and battle with
James Hinchcliffe for the lead. But with just
5 laps to go, Hunter-Reay's car died suddenly
of an apparent electrical problem. Just a few
laps earlier, his teammate Alexander Rossi
seemed to suffer the exact same fate. It was
a tough day for the Andretti Autosport team
after several of their cars exited the race
with unexplained mechanical issues. But for
James Hinchcliffe the racing gods were behind
him on this day. It was a bitter sweet win, his
first since the horrible injury he sustained
in practice at the 2015 Indy 500. That day
he almost lost his life when a piece his car's
suspension broke and went through his leg
causing massive blood loss. It was a long road
back for him and to get a win at a track that
he has never done very good at was extra
special for sure. The 43rd running of the
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach had all of
the heart stopping drama one could hope for
and then some. Can't wait until next year!
2017 Winner James Hinchcliffe
Last minute check on
Hinchcliffe's car
Mario Andretti doing
ride alongs (left)
Story and Photography by Kevin Sprowls
Scott Dixon leading the race.