ST. PETE, Fla. (WFLA)- Preparations are underway for the 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Race organizers held a media event on Thursday ahead of track construction, which begins on Monday, Feb. 19.
The 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit will take racers through the streets circling Pioneer Park and the Dali Museum before extending into the runway at Albert Whitted Airport.
"I have a lot of friends that come to this race, and that's all the way from Sweden," 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Winner Marcus Ericsson said. "My family, since I started in IndyCar Series, they always have two races they always have to go to, it's the Indy 500 and the St. Pete race."
One of the youngest drivers competing this year is Nikita Johnson, 15, who is originally from St. Pete.
"Been pretty busy but honestly I'm feeling a lot better this year," he said. "I think it's just being able to be home, all my friends and family can come out, I can go to some of the restaurants around here that I know."
The 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is being held Mar. 8-10.
Ticket information can be found on the event's website.