The weather in Long Beach on Sunday was typical for the city—sunny and beautiful. But the outcome of the day’s 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was anything but.

Newcomer Kyle Kirkwood’s performance made for an exciting race day, in which he snagged his first-ever IndyCar victory after leading 53 of 85 laps.

Here are some of our best photos of the day’s action.

IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood celebrates in the victory circle after winning the 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sunday April 16, 2023. Photo by Stephen Carr
Kyle Kirkwood celebrates with his team with Champagne after winning the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach as third-place Marcus Ericsson hits him with the liquid in Long Beach, Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
IndyCar pit crews and cars pit during the 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sunday April 16, 2023. Photo by Stephen Carr
Felix Rosenqvist makes his way around the hairpin during the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood heads into turn 11 the 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sunday April 16, 2023. Photo by Stephen Carr
Pato O’Ward gets hydrated before the start of ther 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Fans inside pit lane during the 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sunday April 16, 2023. Photo by Stephen Carr
Josef Newgarden comes through turn 11 during the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Kyle Kirkwood pours Champagne over himself after winning the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach as third-place Marcus Ericsson hits him with the liquid in Long Beach, Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Super truck driver Robert Stout launches off a ramp during the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Kyle Kirkwood, #27, winner of the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, is seen during the NTT IndyCar Series in Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Stadium Super Trucks driver Robby Gordon shows off his two-wheel skills at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
From left, Romain Grosjean, 2nd place, Kyle Kirkwood, 1st place, and Marcus Ericsson, 3rd place, cheer as they celebrate their wins at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Marcus Armstrong, #11, speeds down the track during the NTT IndyCar Series at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Fans watch the NTT IndyCar Series from the Lifestyle Expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Jooman Park-Dotson, 4, safely watches the NTT IndyCar Series at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Marcus Ericsson, #8, who took 3rd place at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, speeds down Aquarium Way in Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Scott McLaughlin in his #3 Sonsio Chevrolet speeds down Aquarium Way during the NTT IndyCar Series at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Kyle Kirkwood, #27, takes the lead during the NTT IndyCar Series at the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Simon Pagenaud, #60, speeds around a turn during the NTT IndyCar Series at the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Fans cheer as the NTT IndyCar Series begins at the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
NTT IndyCar Series driver Marcus Ericsson signs autographs for young fans at the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.
Rome Charpentier, #171, front, goes head-to-head with Forrest Wang, #808, during a Formula Drift challenge heat on Day Two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Fans do the wave during the Formula Drift challenge on Day Two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Forrest Wang, #808, left, goes head-to-head with Rome Charpentier, #171, during a Formula Drift challenge heat on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Champagne drips down the face of Formula Drift rookie Diego Higa, #169, as he celebrates placing third in the final drift challenge of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson.
Forrest Wang, #808, front, goes head-to-head with Rome Charpentier, #171, during a Formula Drift challenge heat on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson.

Brandon Richardson is a reporter and photojournalist for the Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal.