Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato have groundbreaking careers in auto racing and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Thursday they will be inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame.
Legge will be the first woman and Sato will be the first Japanese-born driver inducted into the Walk of Fame in a ceremony in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue at 11 a.m. Thursday.
“We are honored to welcome Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato to the Long Beach Walk of Fame,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said. “Our Motorsports Walk of Fame serves as a lasting tribute to the legends who have left a memorable mark on Long Beach and the racing community. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable careers during the induction ceremony.”
Legge has a long and groundbreaking history in the Grand Prix of Long Beach. She won the Toyota Atlantic Championship race in the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2005 and became the first woman to win an open-wheel race in North America.
Sato made history at the Grand Prix of Long Beach as well. He won the first race of his IndyCar Series career in the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2013 and became the first Japanese-born driver to win an IndyCar Series race. He went on to win two Indianapolis 500s, becoming the first Japanese-born driver to win that race and the 20th driver to win the Indy 500 more than once.
“We are thrilled to recognize Katherine and Takuma for their outstanding contributions to the world of motorsports,” First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas said. “It is a true honor to have their accolades, engraved on exquisite medallions embedded on the sidewalks of our beautiful Downtown shoreline, which will be seen by racing fans from all over world for many years to come.”
In addition to winning the Toyota Atlantic Championship race at Long Beach, Legge holds the record for the fastest woman qualifier in the Indianapolis 500, set in 2023, and was the first woman driver to lead a Champ Car Series race in 2006 at Long Beach. She has won three championships, six races and has 15 podium finishes in her professional racing career.
Legge is entered in this year’s Indianapolis 500 and will be driving for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing.
“I am beyond honored to be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame. My professional racing career started here in 2005, and that win on these iconic streets remains one of the best lifetime memories that I get to carry with me,” Legge said. “I’m humbled to be alongside such legends of our sport, and I can’t express how much this means to me.”
Sato’s motorsports career spans several series, including a stint in Formula One for seven years from 2002 to 2008. In his last race in the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2022, he finished in 16th place. Sato will be entered in this year’s Indianapolis 500 driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
“What a privilege it is to present Katherine and Takuma with this prestigious honor,” Vice Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen said. “Their achievements on and off the track have inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams and make the world a better place. We wish them much continued success on all their future endeavors.”
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is the site of second race in NTT IndyCar Series and the second race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In addition, the weekend will include the Super Drift Challenge under the lights on Friday and Saturday nights, the Speed/UTV Stadium Super Trucks, Historic Indy Car Challenge and the SRO GT America Powered by AWS.
Acura Grand Prix ticket prices range from $40 for a Friday general admission ticket to $185 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday and Sunday reserved seating in grandstand upper levels.
Pre-paid parking packages are also available, along with handicapped seating, NTT IndyCar Series Paddock passes, and a variety of hospitality packages. Continuing a longstanding policy at the Grand Prix, children 12 years and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.