Grand Prix volunteers received free CPR training at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2025) - The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding announced today a multi-year extension with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital to continue as the race’s official healthcare partner through 2028. The healthcare organization has served as an integral partner of the annual motorsport event for many years, providing on-site care to both race fans and participants.
At every Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital’s healthcare professionals are on-site and prepared to provide medical services to thousands of spectators and over one hundred race car drivers. Emergency medicine physicians, registered nurses and nursing assistants are stationed on the festival grounds each day on call and ready when needed with all the necessary medical supplies.
A key aspect of race weekend operations and fan safety is the work performed annually by nearly 500 volunteers in 15 specialty areas. Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital provides volunteer team leaders with free training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the run-up to the event, equipping these workers with crucial lifesaving skills. Yesterday, a group of Grand Prix volunteers participated in CPR certification training at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg to prepare for the upcoming race event on Feb. 28 - March 2, 2025.
“Cardiac arrest affects more than 365,000 people outside of medical facilities every year in the United States,” said Lorraine Parker, chief nursing officer at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. “We are happy to equip race-day volunteers with CPR training so they can provide lifesaving care right away, to anyone who may need it.”
“Orlando Health has been an invaluable partner of this event for decades. The well-being of all that visit our event is, of course, something we take very seriously. The professionals at Orlando Health are always ready to provide expert care and guidance when called upon,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “We are grateful that this partnership will continue for years to come as we strive for a safe and fun atmosphere.”
The 2025 race weekend will feature plenty of high-speed action along the picturesque downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES headlines the event as the premier open-wheel series in North American opens its season in St. Pete for the 15th time on Sunday, March 2. The racing schedule will also feature the sport’s rising stars as INDY NXT by Firestone, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire speed through the downtown streets. Additionally, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin will provide fender-bending sports car competition.
On Thursday, Feb. 27, before the racing gets underway, two community events - INDYCAR Party in the Park and the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track - will kick off the event festivities in downtown St. Petersburg at North Straub Park. Free and open to the public, INDYCAR Party in the Park will feature driver appearances, music, giveaways, food trucks and more. Fans will be able to get up-close to race cars from all the series running during the race weekend in the park from 4-7 p.m. ET.
Additionally, runners and walkers have a unique opportunity to “race on track” during the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track set for 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 27. The race starts and ends on Bayshore Drive NE, adjacent to North Straub Park. Participants can register now at gpstpete5k.com while supplies last with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.
Both 3-Day and Single Day Grandstand and General Admission tickets are available starting as low as $30. For complete pricing, schedule and festival information, visit gpstpete.com. Follow the event on social media using @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers.
About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding:
The 21st annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding airs live on a national broadcast on FOX. FOX Sports named the race one of its “50 Events You Can’t Miss in 2025.” The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runway at Albert Whitted Airport, and borders the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 4-6, 2025), Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto (July 18-20, 2025) and BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 8-10, 2025).
For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @GPSTPETE or follow the event on X at @GPSTPETE and Instagram at @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP.
About Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital:
The 480-bed Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital was founded in 1910. It was acquired October 1, 2020 by Orlando Health, a private, not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States - including Florida and Alabama - and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter.)
