Today marked the final Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the end of a 40-year tradition that has been a favorite of fans and competitors alike. When it was all said and done Alfonso Ribeiro of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Dancing with the Stars” took home top position on the podium, aside Max Papis and Rod Millen.
Ribeiro, celeb winner of the race in 1994 and 1995, didn’t have a particularly good qualifying round. But it ended up working in his favor when the grid was inverted for the race’s start, with pole-winner Jimmy Vasser starting at the back of the pack.
After the checkered flag of the #TPCR40, several drivers made some awesome donuts, like @maxpapis here in Turn 1! http://pic.twitter.com/hKDBqKnxN8
— Toyota Racing (@ToyotaRacing) April 16, 2016
This year’s event honored and featured 18 previous winners, including celebs like Frankie Muniz and Adam Corolla. Since the beginning the race has always been a charity affair, and more than $2.3 million has been raised for “Racing for Kids” starting in 1991.
Even Toyota Senior VP of Automotive Operations Bob Carter strapped in for the race, although he was involved in a nasty crash involving two other cars and a tow truck driver at Turn 9. Carter couldn’t avoid T-boning Brett Davern, who has spun into a tire barrier, but things got much scarier when the tow truck driver came out to hook Carter’s car. The course was under yellow as Carter’s ride was being loaded onto a flatbed, but that didn’t stop Sean Patrick Flannery from coming around the corner and ramming into it. The tow truck driver was flipped onto the ground off of the hood, but was apparently unharmed.
When all was said and done and the race was over, it was all smiles and celebration as the pros and celebs commenced with the obligatory donuts. If you want to catch the full race footage, it’ll be shown on CBS Sports at 6PM Eastern on May 8.
After the checkered flag of the #TPCR40, several drivers made some awesome donuts, like @maxpapis here in Turn 1! http://pic.twitter.com/hKDBqKnxN8
— Toyota Racing (@ToyotaRacing) April 16, 2016
The post Alfonso Ribeiro Takes Home Last-Ever Toyota Pro/Celebrity Grand Prix Victory appeared first on Motor Trend.
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