FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
February 24-27, 2022
Round #1 of the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season
GENERAL INFO – Once again, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg hosts the season opener for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. The temporary waterfront street circuit uses a combination of city streets and a runway from the Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Once inside the venue, you must walk over a crossover (20+ very steep stairs) or wait for on-track activity to cease and pedestrian traffic is allowed to cross the circuit. Unless you have a grandstand ticket (not included in general admission nor with a credential), seating and shade may be difficult to find. Dates for this event are already set thru 2025.
No food or beverages allowed inside. Many vendors are available for drinks, food, and hard liquor sales, along with souvenir sales. Hot weather typically dominates this event, but pack some disposal rain gear, too. There is a moderate amount of walking to tour the course from inside the venue, mostly flat surfaces, some concrete sidewalks. Jumbotron TV's are scattered throughout the venue. Wear comfortable shoes and pack as light as possible. Don't forget the sunscreen and a hat, as the Florida sun can burn your skin in 12 minutes of direct sun exposure. Early entry is recommended as the metal detection process (similar to airports) slows down the entry lines along with bag checks. Pre-purchased tickets are also recommended. On site, 95% of the bathroom facilities are port-a-johns. No masks are required, but to be safe, tuck one in your track bag, in case a virus outbreak occurs at the last minute in the area. Might also want to include a small hand sanitizer as well. I cannot overstate the need to have a hotel/motel reservation prior to arriving, as there are a number of events outside the race weekend happening in the Tampa/St. Pete area. St. Pete area is a major tourist area destination and this timeframe is the start of spring break, which is huge for the area. The accommodations will be pricey on the Gulf are usually the highest, furthest away less pricey.
The INDYCAR weekend will share the track with other racing series, including Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, Indy Pro 2000, USF2000, SRO GT America, and the Mazda MX-Cup. Track time becomes very valuable with practice, qualifying and of course, racing with all series. Plenty to keep you entertained for the weekend.
SPECIFIC LOCATION – Alfred Whitted Airport, Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Eastern time zone.
TRACK WEBSITE – gpstpete.com
TV INFO – All practices and qualifications will be live on Peacock. The race will be live on NBC starting at 12:00 p.m. ET.
TRACK CONFIGURATION – 1.8 miles, 14 turns, 5 lefts and 9 rights. Temporary street course.
PREFERRED AIRPORTS – Tampa International (TPA), about 20 miles north and east of the track. St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE), about 14 miles north of the track.
PARKING – Expect to pay $10-$30 daily for parking downtown. Parking lots and garages are easy walking distance to the track entry gates and are well-marked. Friday is a workday for locals, so parking is sometimes difficult to find but many offices close at noon on Friday, easing parking availability. Parking is also available at Tropicana Field, located just off Interstate 275, with track shuttle service.
CREDENTIALS – Track and INDYCAR credentials are at Rococo Steak House, 655 Second AV S., St. Petersburg, 33701. Posted hours are 2/24, 8am-5pm; 2/25, 7am-3pm; 2/26, 6am-2pm, 2/27, 6am-12:30pm. Closed-toed shoes are recommended for pit entry. This seems to change each year, (sometimes enforced, sometimes not enforced), but be safe and just wear them. Check track website for junior credentials which are for sale. With a credential, use Gate 8, the southernmost entry. No metal detectors and very short line. They will use a wand to check for metal and a quick bag check. Quicker and less crowded. You will enter very close to the paddock and pit area once crossing the track. Might have to wait for cars to clear the track.
ENTRY POINTS – Metal detectors are at all gates, similar to airport security. Even with a credential, you will filter thru the security line. All items are subject to search, without shoe removal. Empty your pockets while you wait in line. Put cell phones, wallet, money, etc. in your bag before you get to the detector to save time. Handicap accessibility info can be found on track website at gpstpete.com.
TICKET INFO – 1-888-476-4479. Greatly encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the track. Website is gpstpete.com for pricing and availability for reserved grandstand seats. A few ticket options are available. A general admission or credential does not allow entry to any grandstand – strictly enforced. Ticket booth lines and pickup windows get very crowded. Will call window is at Gate 5 ticket booth at 5th AV So and 2nd St. FYI – No general public grandstand seats have shade – full sun.
PROHIBITED ITEMS - NO food or drinks are allowed to be brought into the track, including alcohol beverages. (Hint: bring an empty water bottle in your track bag, as you can fill up once inside.) Audio and video recording devices are prohibited. No chairs or stadium seats. Service animals only, leashed at all times, be prepared for your own waste disposal. No roller skates, golf carts, skateboards, Segways, bicycles and scooters, leave them at home, you will be denied entry. Keep strollers as small as possible and figure a way to secure them with a lock and chain on ground level if you have grandstand seats. Strollers will have to be folded and carried up and down 20’+ very steep stairs at temporary crossovers. Small umbrellas are acceptable.
CAMPING – No traditional camping is permitted, as you are downtown of a major city. Very pricey limited RV spots and yacht docking is available. Refer to website gpstpete.com for details and costs.
RESTAURANT OPTIONS – St Pete is a major tourist destination. Seafood is featured at many establishments and much of it is fresh. Downtown St. Pete there are many restaurants ranging in a variety of food choices. Other choices are very close, within walking distance to the track. Expect to pay wherever you park. The entire area, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, and a little east you’ll find Madeira Beach and Treasure Island all major tourist destinations as the westerly structures are right on the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of great choices with great food!
QUESTIONS? – gpstpete.com