A motorcross rider catches serious air during Thunder Thursday in downtown Long Beach last night.

Big crowds flooded the downtown streets last night for the unofficial opening ceremonies of the 37th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Thunder Thursday was marked with pit crew competitions, motocross extreme riders and a drifting car show. Our photographer Daniel DeBoom was on Pine Street the capture the sights of excited fans and the drivers that will light up Shoreline Drive this weekend. Make sure to check out our Sports coverage all weekend for more outstanding photos and up-to-the-minute race updates!

Here’s a schedule of the weekend’s racing events. Visit gplb.com for ticket information.

IndyCar Series
Friday: Practice 10:00am-11:15am, Practice 2:25pm-3:25pm
Saturday: Practice 10:25am-11:25am, Qualifying 2:30pm-3:50pm
Sunday: Practice 9:15am-9:45am, RACE 1:15pm-3:30pm

Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series
Friday: Practice 7:15am-9:15am, Qualifying 5:00pm-6:30pm
Saturday: RACE 4:30pm-6:30pm

Firestone Indy Lights
Friday: Practice 12:15pm-1:15pm
Saturday: Practice 8:00am-8:45am, Qualifying 12:55pm-1:55pm
Sunday: Practice 8:00am-8:15am, RACE 11:05am-12:05pm

Toyota Pro/Celebrity
Friday: Practice 11:30am-12:00pm, Qualifying 3:40pm-4:10pm
Saturday: RACE 11:40am-12:40pm

Pirelli World Challenge Championship
Friday: Practice 4:20pm-4:45pm
Saturday: Practice 7:15am-7:45am
Sunday: Qualifying 8:25am-8:55am, RACE 4:15pm-5:15pm

Team Drifting
Friday: 9:35am-9:55am
Saturday: 8:55am-9:20am
Sunday: 3:40pm-3:55pm


Marco Andretti will look to erase his past bad luck in Long Beach.


Ryan  Hunter-Reay, defending champion of the Long Beach Grand Prix, poses for a shot.