IndyCar Race + County Fair = Long Beach Grand Prix [Race Recap, Photo Gallery]

The Long Beach Grand Prix is the third round on this year’s IndyCar schedule. It’s also the main attraction of a race weekend that features everything from a drifting competition to an American Le Mans event to a Pirelli World Challenge race. This was an historic weekend, too, as Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race, doing so for legendary A.J. Foyt.

But the Long Beach Grand Prix is also a party. It’s perhaps not the raucous bacchanal that churns through Sebring’s infield, but it is festive nonetheless, characterized by the sort of gleeful, carefree atmosphere you’d find at a county fair. You’re more likely to see a three-generation family—including septuagenarian and stroller—than a reveler hoisting a bladder-capacity beer. Crowd estimates range from 170,000 to 200,000 for the three-day weekend.

While race cars roar around the streets of LBC, a huge convention hall inside the 1.968-mile, 12-turn city circuit is filled with exhibits featuring exotic cars, driving simulators, SAE student race cars, RC cars, and more. One hall is dedicated to activities for small children. There’s a go-kart track. Food ranges from a sit-down meal with a glass of wine to chili fries and a beer. (Burp.) It’s a mellow crowd that strolls to the accompaniment of race engines.

As to the race, Sato won after holding off a strong bid by Graham Rahal, with Justin Wilson in third, followed by pole-sitter Dario Franchitti. All four were driving Honda-powered Dallaras in a year that has so far favored the Chevrolets. Also on Sunday, Carlos Munoz won the Indy Lights race.

Caddy had the Pirelli World Challenge race in the bag with one of its CTS-V.Rs when a punctured radiator gave the win to James Sofronas’s Audi R8. This two-class race at Long Beach brought a mix of cars that included Cadillacs, Audis, and Volvos, plus a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. There were also Acura TSXs; Kia Optimas; a Lotus Exige; the inevitable Porsches, BMWs, Camaros, and Mustangs; and one lonely Pontiac Solstice singing its heart out. Get a feel for the racing in the gallery below.