Overview
- Penske Entertainment confirmed his passing on Saturday and issued condolences in a statement from Roger Penske.
- A founding staff member of the Long Beach race, he served as controller, COO, and became president and CEO in 2001, elevating the event into a premier street race.
- Penske acquired the Grand Prix Association in late 2024, with a January plan moving Michaelian to a Penske role on June 30 and installing Jim Liaw as president and CEO on July 1.
- IMSA President John Doonan paid tribute, calling Michaelian a racer’s racer and a longtime friend to the motorsports community.
- A veteran competitor, he raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona, Nürburgring 24 and Twelve Hours of Sebring, while his son Bob recently notched a top-ten at Sebring.