Toyota's 44-year-long title sponsorship deal with IndyCar's Grand Prix of Long Beach has been axed.
Toyota Motor North America announced that it would not renew the long-running deal, but gave no reason for the decision.
The Japanese automobile giant has been associated with the famous annual street race since 1975.
"We have had a phenomenal relationship with Toyota for 44 years, a record in the racing world,” Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, stated. "In recent discussions, however, Toyota has elected not to renew as the title sponsor.
"This has now opened up an opportunity to identify a new title partner. Coming off a very successful 44th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, we’re excited about the future and are exploring all possible sponsorship opportunities that might exist in the market.
"Toyota came aboard our fledgling event in 1975 as Official Pace Car provider and in 1980, Toyota stepped up to become our entitlement sponsor and remained in that position for 39 years. In 1976, Toyota created the charitable Toyota ‘Race for Youth’ Match Race which would become the world-famous Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race starting in 1977, continuing for the next 40 years. Among the many beneficiaries of this race were the Children’s Hospitals of Long Beach and Orange County. Together, over the years, we were able to build the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach into America’s #1 Street Race.
"On behalf of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, I would like to thank Toyota for all that it did to help us grow our event and make it what it is today. We are proud to have had Toyota be the most prominent of our sponsor partners for so many years."
The 2019 Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place April 12-14.
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