The City of Long Beach, California, in partnership with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, announced Feb. 26 the honorees for the 2025 Motorsports Walk of Fame, Scott Dixon, Jim Michaelian and Beverly O’Neill.
The honorees will be inducted during a free public ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, ahead of the 50th Anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 11-13. Festivities will take place in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue.
“As the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach turns 50, we are not just celebrating the spirit of the racing world – we are honoring the legends who helped shape it,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said. “It is a privilege to welcome this year’s esteemed honorees to the Motorsports Walk of Fame and pay tribute to their incredible achievements and the lasting impact they have had on Long Beach and the racing community.”
Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and defending Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner Dixon is entering his 25th season racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the past 24 with Chip Ganassi Racing. Dixon has 58 career wins, second in series history behind only A.J. Foyt (67). His six championships are also the second-most, trailing only Foyt (seven).
"It's an honor to be added to the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame,” Dixon said. “The first time I came here was 1999 in Indy Lights. It's always a marquee event. There are not many events on any schedule that people can celebrate like this. I think what we really enjoy as drivers and teams is the atmosphere. This place is wild. It's got a lot of energy. It's a lot of fun. Hopefully the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda team can get another victory there this season."
President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC (GPALB) since 2001, Michaelian has been involved with the organization since its inception in 1975, serving in many areas, including finance, operations and marketing.
"It truly was a surprise and an honor to be included in this year’s Motorsports Walk of Fame,” Michaelian said. “When we started this event back in 2006, it was for the purpose of recognizing those who had achieved success here in Long Beach, as well as at other major racing venues around the world. I’m very humbled to now be included with these venerable icons of the racing world.”
O’Neill was born and raised in Long Beach. After a 31-year career in education culminating in five years as president/superintendent of Long Beach City College, she was elected mayor of Long Beach in 1994. She was the first big city mayor to win a third term through a write-in campaign, serving 12 years.
After the ceremony, the honorees will sign autographs for those in attendance. For more information, visit lbmotorsportswof.com.
The Motorsports Walk of Fame is a joint project of the City of Long Beach and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. It was created in 2006 to honor key contributors to the sport of auto racing, with Dan Gurney and Phil Hill as the inaugural honorees. Since then, 37 honorees have been recognized.