Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach 2026

At the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R from Action Express Racing delivered a front-running performance in one of the most intense sprint races of the season — narrowly missing out on victory in a dramatic street-fight to the finish.

Competing in Round 3 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the No. 31 entry driven by Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti was immediately on the pace around the tight 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit. From the early laps, the Cadillac established itself as a genuine contender, with Aitken taking the fight to the front and even seizing the lead during the opening stint amid heavy GT traffic.

As the race evolved, strategy proved decisive. The No. 31 ran aggressively at the front, but the eventual race-winning No. 93 Acura executed an alternative pit sequence and benefited from a well-timed full-course caution that reshuffled track position.

Undeterred, Action Express Racing responded with precision. In the closing stages, Vesti mounted a relentless charge, closing to within a few tenths of the lead and applying sustained pressure over the final stint. With just minutes remaining, the gap remained razor-thin, and the Cadillac was clearly the faster car in traffic-heavy conditions.

Despite the effort, passing on the narrow Long Beach circuit proved just out of reach. The No. 31 crossed the line second overall, just 0.8 seconds behind the winner, securing a standout result and the team’s third podium of the 2026 season.

The result reinforced several key positives for the No. 31 program: outright pace capable of leading on a street circuit, strong execution across a pressure-filled sprint race, and the ability to challenge for victory against all of the competition. On a track where opportunities are limited and margins are minimal, Action Express Racing maximized the package and delivered a performance that clearly signals race-winning potential as the season progresses.