Record-setting driver Scott Dixon, former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill and long-time race executive Jim Michaelian were inducted to the Motorsports Walk of Fame in Long Beach Thursday.
The induction came one day before the start of the 50th anniversary Long Beach Grand Prix. Dixon won the IndyCar series race in 2024.
The New Zealander’s victory in Long Beach last year extended his record streak of consecutive years with a victory on the circuit to 20 and his years with a victory to 22, another record.
Dixon’s win in the Detroit Grand Prix June 2 increased his career total on the IndyCar circuit to 58, second behind A.J. Foyt’s 67. Dixon’s six championships are also second-most, again behind Foyt who has seven.
“This is a huge honor,” Dixon said. “I want to thank everyone for coming out. It’s a true pleasure.”
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, Beverly was elected mayor of Long Beach in 1994. When term limits barred her from the ballot in 2002, she was elected to a third and final term in a write-in campaign.
O’Neill led the remaking of Long Beach’s economy following the closure of the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in 1997, including rebuilding of the downtown waterfront, with the Grand Prix at its center. She was directly involved in adjusting the race course to accommodate redevelopment while keeping the spotlight on the Grand Prix.
In her 12 years as mayor, O’Neill never missed opening ceremonies for the Grand Prix event, addressing the crowd in her trademark black and white checkered scarf, according to race organizers.
O’Neill’s daughter, Teresa, accepted the honor on the former mayor’s behalf. O’Neill, now 94, was unable to attend the ceremony due to her health.
“She loved the Grand Prix, and of course she loves Long Beach,” Teresa O’Neill said.
Michaelian has been involved with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, LLC, which operates the race, since its inception in 1975. He has been its president and CEO since 2001.
“It really takes a family, a whole group of dedicated people to put on an event like this,” Michaelian said. “And I’m just honored and very humbled by the fact that my name is now included in the Walk of Fame here in Long Beach. It truly is an honor.”