By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Championship energy is headed to the streets of Long Beach.
Organizers of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach have announced that six accomplished Team Honda athletes—fresh off standout performances at the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina—will serve as Grand Marshals for this year’s race weekend, set for April 17–19.
The annual event, one of the most anticipated stops on the IndyCar calendar, has long celebrated excellence beyond motorsports. This year’s honorees continue that tradition, bringing global recognition and inspiring stories of perseverance to Southern California’s premier racing event.
Celebrating Champions Across Sports
The selected athletes represent a range of winter sports disciplines, including para alpine skiing, para snowboarding, sled hockey, speedskating and bobsled. Many arrive in Long Beach following podium finishes on the world stage.
Among them are Brenna Huckaby, a bronze medalist in para snowboarding, and Brody Roybal and Declan Farmer, both gold medalists in sled hockey. Rising speedskating star Jordan Stolz also joins the group after capturing multiple medals, alongside bobsled competitor Kaysha Love and para alpine skier Audrey Crowley.
Their selection reflects Honda’s continued investment in athletes who embody resilience, excellence and determination—qualities that mirror the intensity of race weekend.
A Tradition of Honor and Inspiration
The Grand Marshal role is a signature moment of the Long Beach Grand Prix, highlighted by the ceremonial command: “Drivers, start your engines.”
For fans, it’s more than tradition—it’s a bridge between different sports communities and a celebration of achievement at the highest level.
Event organizers say the presence of Olympic and Paralympic athletes adds a unique layer of inspiration, particularly for young fans and aspiring athletes throughout the region.
Community Impact and Excitement
Beyond the track, the Grand Prix remains a major cultural and economic event for Long Beach, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and spotlighting the city on an international stage.
This year’s inclusion of Team Honda athletes reinforces the event’s broader mission: to celebrate not just speed and competition, but also the human stories behind athletic greatness.
As engines prepare to roar in April, the voices delivering the iconic starting command will belong to champions whose journeys extend far beyond the racetrack.