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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Downtown St. Petersburg came alive on Sunday afternoon as over 100,000 motorsport enthusiasts gathered to witness the thrilling conclusion of the Firestone Grand Prix.
The competition featured 25 skilled drivers, each vying for victory in this high-stakes race. Hours before the starting signal, dedicated mechanics were hard at work, fine-tuning their teams’ vehicles to ensure peak performance on the track.
Hunter Ahrendt, one of the competitors, highlighted the intense nature of the event. “We’re all constantly striving for that extra half-second or even a tenth of a second to overtake the competition. The field is incredibly tight,” he remarked.
In this exhilarating race, the difference between first and tenth place can be less than half a second, underscoring the precision and skill involved. The 1.8-mile circuit winds through the city streets, incorporating a portion of the St. Pete Airport runway as part of the challenging course.
The race runs 1.8 miles through the city, even using a runway of the St. Pete Airport for the track.
“This racetrack – unbelievable,” Kevin Saboree, owner of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, said. “Really great. Three long straightaways, tight corners, a technical section – the drivers love it.”
Organizers said it has become a popular place among competitors to start the 2026 season.
“It’s been a little bit of a harsh winter up there and so to come down here and have 75-degrees and sunshine. It’s a pretty nice place to start.”
Organizers said the track comes complete with 18,000 feet of fencing, and concrete barriers took them 18 days to build.
They said after their last photo finish, they will have to pack it all back up within a week – and take their show on the road.