Fans crowded the street and lined balconies to catch a glimpse of one of their heroes, accepting an honor that few have been given, all with one thing in common: the city of Long Beach.
Thursday, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones and the late Gary Gabelich were inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame in front of the Convention Center on Pine Avenue, each loaning their legend to America’s longest running road race.
And a group of men that have done all they could to help put the city of Long Beach on the racing world’s radar, accepted a token of gratitude—though, comparatively a small one—in return. Mario, considered by many to be the greatest American driver ever, probably summed it up best.
“I’m flattered by all of the accolades,” he told the crowd. “Winning the Formula One race here, and becoming the first American to win an F-1 race in America might have been good for Long Beach.
“But it was a helluva lot better for me.”
And there, Andretti revved up the most poignant observation of the day: whatever monumental achievements and outlandish records these men have set over the course of their careers—Mario, the standard for all drivers; Parnelli, the two-time Indy winner and incredibly successful owner; Gary, the land-speed record holder—the city of Long Beach helped contribute to their legends in one way or another.
So just as they helped put Long Beach on the racing map, so too did Long Beach catapult their careers. Parnelli participated in the first ever Grand Prix of Long Beach 34 years ago and said, “I can’t be more proud than to be inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame.”
Gary, tragically killed in 1984, was represented by his wife, Long Beach City Councilwoman Rae Gabelich. Gary grew up a San Pedro native and made his name dominating races all over the Southland before turning to high-speed records. In 1971 he clocked in at a land record 622.407 mph in a 58,000 horsepower rocket-engined vehicle. For 13 years, Gabelich—and Long Beach—owned that record.
And with these three men honored Thursday, we took time not only to recognize the achievements of these extraordinary people, but of their place in Long Beach history.
We took time to recognize Long Beach’s place in racing lore.