City of St. Petersburg Celebrates 20 Years of the Firestone Grand Prix with City Hall Flag Raising and Youth STEM Events

March 5, 2024 - The City of St. Petersburg is celebrating 20 years of the Firestone Grand Prix in 2024 with a flag raising and special events to engage the next generation of racing.

Northeast High School Automotive Club Tour

DATE: MARCH 7
TIME: 8:30 a.m.

In celebration of Women's History Month, the City of St. Petersburg will host 10 female students from Northeast High School's Automotive Academy to provide a behind-the-scenes experience of the Firestone Grand Prix, one of the world's largest sporting events. Tour begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Grand Prix track, students will then go to the Grand Prix Flag Raising at 10 a.m. and then on to the Green Flag Lunch at the St. Pete Yacht Club. MEDIA: Please contact PIO for credentials and location information.

Grand Prix Flag Raising

DATE: MARCH 7
TIME: 10 a.m.
LOCATION: City Hall, 175 5th St. N

St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch will host a flag raising ceremony to kick off the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 7 at City Hall, 175 5th St. N. Mayor Welch will be joined by St. Petersburg City Council Members, Grand Prix owners and promoters Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, NTT INDYCAR SERIES President Jay Frye, and NTT INDYCAR drivers Scott Dixon and Nikita Johnson.

Team Accelerate Day

DATE: MARCH 8
TIME: 10 a.m.
LOCATION: USF St. Petersburg Student Center, 200 6th Ave. S

In partnership with Pinellas County Schools and USF St. Petersburg, 75 middle school students from three St. Pete schools (John Hopkins Middle, Bay Point Middle and Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle) and 10 students from the St. Pete Parks and Recreation therapeutic program will join the second annual "Team Accelerate Day" with Mayor Ken Welch. The students will spend an entire day learning about the innovation and science of racing. From using 3D modeling software to creating a new Grand Prix logo, and from visiting USF's Nelson Poynter Memorial Library to further their STEM education to getting a begin-the-scenes tour of the Grand Prix paddock - the day will be action packed!

For more info about the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: gpstpete.com