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I rode in an IndyCar around downtown Long Beach — at 180 mph

April 5, 2023

All I could do was smile — as I felt the speed and brute force of traveling up to 180 mph on the streets of downtown Long Beach.

I have to admit, I was slightly nervous when I put on my firesuit and a brave face for the camera as I documented my walk to pit row.

Sports reporter John W. Davis survived his ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis, helmets up before his ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Crew members secure sports reporter John W. Davis into his seat in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis takes off for his ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis was the first person of the day to ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis returns safely from his ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis, all smiles after his ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis rides in a Grand Prix IndyCar on the Grand Prix of Long Beach’s media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sports reporter John W. Davis, suits up for his ride in a Grand Prix IndyCar. Davis did one slow lap and one fast lap around the track, on media day in Long Beach on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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My final thoughts as I walked to pit row before my first time ever riding in an INDYCAR through the streets of downtown Long Beach. (Can you tell I’m nervous or did I hide it well for the camera?) #AGPLB #200mphBeachParty pic.twitter.com/VCSB6tMkbH

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 4, 2023

But it wasn’t until about 30 minutes later, when I put on the racing helmet, that I became truly anxious.

I had accepted the pole position as the first ride-along in a two-seat IndyCar during the Tuesday, April 4, media day for the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The city’s biggest annual party will take place from April 14 to 16.

I am familiar with the 1.97-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit that circles the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific — but not like this.

Exiting pit row at media day at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. pic.twitter.com/EVNxZVWMjp

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 4, 2023

To my surprise, the first ride of the day came with a bonus warmup lap. As my professional driver, Davey Hamilton, took off from the pit row along Shoreline Drive, he purposely weaved back and forth to warm up the Firestone racing tires.

I could tell Hamilton was holding back and I’m glad he was. It was a reassuring feeling to get what I considered a practice lap before the real thing. If I did not go any faster than we did on the first lap, I would have been more than satisfied, because I honestly had no expectations.

In retrospect, the slow lap was still quick. I could feel the hairpin turns the first time around.

But that lap ended up feeling like a 50% effort compared to what followed. The best way I can describe the second lap, is that it was fast — like, really fast.

I was expecting to top out at 150 mph but as we accelerated along the Shoreline Drive straightaway, for real this time, all I could do was smile, keep my head back, and marvel at the fact I was now truly just along for the ride. Hamilton briefly hit the brakes to navigate a chicane-style tight turn near The Pike Outlets before taking off again at triple-digit speeds along Ocean Boulevard.

A few seconds later, we were back on pit row and my ride-along was complete.

Arriving back on pit row after a special ride-along in a two-seater INDYCAR in downtown Long Beach. pic.twitter.com/0V1nFobFbM

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 4, 2023

As the crew unbuckled my harnessed seat, I stepped out of the IndyCar triumphant — but I was in for one more hair-raising surprise.

“I’m not exactly sure how fast I going,” I said aloud while recording a video to recap the moment.

“180,” chimed a knowledgeable public relations professional who overheard my question.

“180,” I repeated to myself and the video camera with an unsuspecting tone and a sizeable grin that you could see through my balaclava, which covered the top of my head down to the collar around my neck, but left my eyes and the crown of my nose exposed.

Here’s my 180 mph recap after taking two laps around the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach course in downtown Long Beach. I was able to take a bonus warm up lap because I volunteered to go first to help warm up the racing tires. pic.twitter.com/4T1wRL0T9T

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) April 4, 2023

After I made it to the other side of the safety barrier, I took a few minutes to capture another perspective and fully process what I experienced. I watched as the next ride-along participants took off for their one fast lap, seemingly appearing again less than two minutes later back on pit row.

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I thought to myself, “Wow.”

I’m glad I accepted the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and assignment to experience and report on what it’s like to race at the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Would I ride-along along again in an IndyCar that routinely exceeds more than 200 mph?

Absolutely.

And I might just request the special assignment next year.

Orange County Register

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I rode in an IndyCar around downtown Long Beach — at 180 mph

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