The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach continued to delight attendees — and fuel the adrenaline rush for thousands of racegoers — during the penultimate day of the “200-mph beach party” on Saturday.

And today could be even better. The final day, after all, will be headlined by the titular IndyCar Series race — the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Felix Rosenqvist, in the No. 60 Honda, won qualifying and will start in the pole position today. 2023 champion Kyle Kirkwood will start 10th.

The iconic call, “Drivers, start your engines,” is set for 12:35 p.m. today, with the Grand Prix of Long Beach starting 10 minutes later.

While today is the main event, there was still plenty to entertain on Saturday.

Though Saturday seemed to start off slightly slower than the day prior, by mid-morning, the entire concourse was packed with attendees excited for the day’s events — including the IMSA Sportscar Grand Prix.

Renger van der Zande and his co-driver, Sebastien Bourdais, of Chip Ganassi Racing edged Jack Aitken and teammate Pipo Derani, of Action Express Racing, to win the Sportscar Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.

The Grand Prix, Long Beach’s biggest annual party, typically draws close to 200,000 people during its three-day weekend each year.

Gavin Pullaro, who traveled with two friends from San Diego to get a taste of the Grand Prix, were giddy about the event’s upbeat energy and myriad offerings on Saturday.

“When I came here, it was a little bit packed,” Pullaro said, “but (there’s) a lot of good people, a lot of good food (and) a lot of good alcohol. I had a good time.”

This year marked Pullaro’s first time at the Grand Prix. He and his friends, he said, were most excited to watch IndyCar qualifying, and, of course, see those vintage IndyCars back on the track during the historic challenge.

Besides IMSA, Saturday’s line-up also featured IndyCar qualifying, Formula Drift, the first Historic IndyCar Challenge race and more.

The vintage IndyCars have been a big draw for new and old racing fans alike this weekend — with many attendees at the first day of the Grand Prix on Friday voicing their excitement to see the historic cars back on the track.

The Grand Prix and the vintage IndyCars further proved their popularity on Saturday, after the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach announced that reserved seats had sold out for the second year in a row.

There’s also been plenty to do off the track, including taking a jaunt around the lifestyle expo — which offers more than 100 retailers featuring automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products.

Grand Prix visitors have also flocked to check out the exotic cars, try out some delicious food and imbibe a drink or two.

Angela Januelwicz, a Southern California local, made her first return to the Grand Prix this year since before the pandemic.

“It’s nice to see that everybody’s out and about and mingling again,” Januelwicz said Saturday. “You get to meet so many people from so many different walks of life — it’s amazing how many people from other areas have driven in just for this event.”

Januelwicz, who was shopping around in the lifestyle expo, also brought along her friend Melissa Hernandez — a first-time Grand Prix visitor.

Though Hernandez said she also enjoys the social aspect of the Grand Prix, she’s taken a real liking to the high-speed thrill of the racing spectacle.

“All the craziness down there when you’re watching them go around those corners,” Hernandez said, “you’re like, ‘Oh my God, he almost hit the wall!’ It’s the adrenaline rush (of it all).”

All in all, the pair said, the Grand Prix is an “awesome experience,” with something for everyone.

For some, though, the Grand Prix is more than just a fun event to attend — it’s a family tradition.

That includes Luigi Spera, who’s been attending each day of the Grand Prix with his family since he was a 5 years old.

“My grandma, my dad, (and) my uncle have been coming here since the very first (Grand Prix),” Spera said on Saturday. “They’ve been here all 49 years.”

Now, Spera said, he’s continuing that tradition — and plans on making the most out of all three days of the Grand Prix.

The Chicas family, from Aliso Viejo, have also made the Grand Prix of Long Beach a longtime family event.

The clan has been coming to the Grand Prix for 13 years — ever since they were given a free general admission ticket and got hooked, said Corie Bellamy-Chicas.

Now, they come to the event annually, sitting early Saturday mornings in the grandstands and watching the IndyCar practice. Son Jameson Chicas, especially, is a big fan.

Day 2 festivities kept going into the evening, when an all-star country jam — featuring Eddie Montgomery and Gretchen Wilson, among others — rocked the Terrace Theater’s plaza.

And now, with Saturday in the books, it’s on to what will surely be a raucous finale.

Staff writers Hillary Ma and Kaitlyn Schallhorn, and correspondent Dennis Pope contributed to this report.