The Streets of Long Beach are gearing up for an exciting weekend as the IMSA SportsCar Championship and IndyCar Series descend upon the iconic temporary street circuit. With the 49th edition of the Grand Prix of Long Beach just around the corner, several updates have been announced to enhance the racing experience.

One of the notable changes includes improvements to the curbing in Turn 5. Extensive work has been done to strengthen the curbs by using longer bolts, ensuring they can withstand the high-speed pounding from the powerful sports cars. Additionally, the painted portion of the curb in Turn 8 has been relocated closer to the apex of the turn, replacing its previous position 10 feet away from the wall. To provide a smoother surface, asphalt grinding has taken place in Turn 8.

In a move reminiscent of the season opener in St. Petersburg, all of the tire barriers at the Long Beach circuit have been covered with a conveyor belt material instead of traditional signage. This decision aims to reduce the chances of a car becoming stuck and offers improved safety to both the AMR IndyCar Safety Team and the race teams, minimizing potential damage.

These track updates were confirmed by IndyCar during IMSA's opening practice session on Friday morning. IndyCar enthusiasts can look forward to their first practice session of the weekend at 5:50 p.m. ET, available for streaming on Peacock. IMSA's second practice will commence at 3:50 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying, which will also be streamed on Peacock, concluding the day's festivities at 7:55 p.m. ET on Friday evening.

On Saturday, April 20, the IMSA races will take place, with the GTP and GTD classes set to compete in a thrilling 100-minute race at 4:30 p.m. ET. As for the IndyCar Series, fans can enjoy the second points-paying round of the season on Sunday, April 21, with an 85-lap battle commencing at 3:30 p.m. ET.

With the Streets of Long Beach now equipped with these upgrades, drivers from both the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the IndyCar Series are ready to take on the exhilarating 1.968-mile, 11-turn circuit. Expect thrilling races and fierce competition as the Grand Prix of Long Beach unfolds this weekend.