Preview: Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

While the regulars of the IndyCar Series do their stuff on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean, those that joined them in the newly-unified future of US open-wheel racing will remain in the States to bid farewell to Champ Car.

With the Motegi and Long Beach events unable to find alternative dates for the 2008 events, IndyCar organisers had little option other than to schedule both as point-scoring races towards this year's championship, splitting a field that was just getting to grips with one another after two events - one each on an oval and street course - at Homestead and St Petersburg.

It also means a change of machinery for those racing in California, as the Panoz-built DP01-Cosworths are dusted down after a couple of months in mothballs for one last thrash around the streets that came to symbolise the Champ Car World Series, and will help to form the backbone of future US open-wheel campaigns.

The entry list, while still to be finalised in the days leading up to the event, already contains several names made famous by Champ Car, alongside others who cut their teeth in the series but have been left high-and-dry by unification and those that successfully made the switch to IndyCars at Homestead. Completing the picture are a handful of relative novices, eager for one chance to show their worth.

At 20 cars, the grid is expected to be the biggest seen for a Champ Car race in Long Beach since 2002, as the 34th Toyota Grand Prix bids farewell to the CCWS as it did earlier in its history to both F5000 and Formula One.

"For 25 years, we've hosted a series that has given our fans countless great racing thrills," said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach CEO Jim Michaelian, "We plan on using the weekend to celebrate the many notable drivers, great cars and memorable moments that have been a hallmark of Champ Car racing here at Long Beach for a quarter-century. We'll be honouring our past and, at the same time, setting the stage for the showcasing the unified IndyCar Series as it comes to the streets of Long Beach in 2009."

Paul Tracy and Jimmy Vasser undoubtedly headline the entry in terms of stature, both being former series champions, but may find their work cut out against drivers who have already seen action this season - and, in Vasser's case, the past couple of Champ Car seasons.

Tracy returns with the Forsythe Pettit team that confirmed him for 2008, then promptly shut up shop following unification. The atmosphere in the Canadian's section of the paddock could be tense, however, as Forsythe has so far refused to release him from his contract to pursue a ride either in the IRL or, at least, in the Indianapolis 500. Look for the 'Thrill from West Hill' to try and prove a point at a circuit that has dealt him a number of challenges in the past.

Vasser, meanwhile, comes out of retirement for one last run in a Champ Car, joining Oriol Servia and Will Power in a three-car KV Racing Technology line-up on the streets of his home state. Servia and Power both have more recent CCWS experience, having raced last season, and have shown their mettle on the streets of St Petersburg in the team's Dallara-Hondas.

"I don't expect to be fighting for the victory, having been out of the car for two years, but it will be a lot of fun and a great honour to take part in the Champ Car World Series' final race," Vasser insisted, "It will also be great to compete one more time in front of all the southern California fans that have been so supportive of me throughout my career."

Another veteran, Alex Tagliani, will also make a one-off return to the fray, having agreed to rejoin the Walker Racing operation he last graced during the formative year of its Team Australian programme. The Canadian will pilot the #15 DP01, joining fellow Champ Car favourites Mario Dominguez - wheeling the second car at Pacific Coast Motorsports - and Robert Moreno, the Panoz development driver getting his hands on the #14 Minardi/HVM Racing car.

Dominguez, who seemingly drove for half the grid during a series of substitute appearances in 2007, will partner PCM regular Alex Figge, while the original 'supersub', Moreno, will join Nelson Phillippe and newcomer Ernesto Viso in the Minardi line-up.

Tracy, meanwhile, will be partnered by Frenchman Franck Montagny, who suffered another career blow when the Champ Car series folded just weeks after he had set the pace in testing with Forsythe at Sebring.

The former F1 test driver and Super Aguri racer will get one solitary chance to range himself against those that made the jump to the IndyCar Series having out-gunned them in Florida, hoping to pick up his homeland's mantle of master of Long Beach, following Sebastien Bourdais' run of success there in recent seasons.

In order to do that, however, he will have to overcome the current Newman/Haas/Lanigan pairing of Graham Rahal - who won on his IndyCar debut in St Petersburg earlier this month - and Justin Wilson, who slotted into the McDonalds car vacated by Bourdais' long-awaited move to F1.

"I am looking forward to getting back in the Panoz DP01 for one more Champ Car race and my first in the McDonald's Champ Car," said Wilson, who watched as Bourdais took 'his' car to victory in each of the last three Long Beach events.

"It's quite fitting for me that the last race for the Champ Car will be at Long Beach because that was where I ran my first ever race in the series back in 2004. It brings back a lot of good memories. It is a great circuit with a great atmosphere and I think it ought to be another good event. It would be great to go out with a win but, at the same time, we need to think about the points and the championship. I'm hoping to make the most out of this opportunity to get as many points as possible at a track and in equipment we are familiar with."

Dale Coyne Racing will have a decidedly South American flavour to its line-up, sticking with Brazilian veteran Bruno Junqueira and rookie Mario Moraes after the pair contested the opening rounds of the IndyCar season. Junqueira will be seeking his ninth career Champ Car win at Long Beach, a circuit he loves.

"I'm very excited about competing in Long Beach for many reasons - including a great chance to earn points," he said, "The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of my favourite street tracks, with great crowds and weather. It will be very competitive."

After its strong start to the IndyCar season, highlighted by Enrique Bernoldi's fifth place in St Pete, Conquest Racing carries plenty of momentum to Long Beach, but both the Brazilian and French team-mate Franck Perera have limited experience in the DP01 under their belt. However, Perera topped the final day at Sebring in February, and is looking forward to racing the turbo-charged car in California.

"It will be a little weird getting into the cockpit of the Panoz after getting used to the Dallara these past weeks, but I am looking forward to it," the Atlantic Series graduate admitted, "We were quick in the car in the Sebring test in February and I think we can aim for a podium finish in Long Beach. This race gives us a really good chance of scoring some important IndyCar points but I think, overall, this weekend will be a great show for the fans - a last chance for them to see the Champ Cars in action."

Rounding out the entry is Rocketsports, like Forsythe a team that decided against going to the unified IndyCar Series. Paul Gentilozzi's team - which ran Bernoldi in pre-season CCWS testing - will field another Brazilian, the returning Antonio Pizzonia, alongside Champ Car novice Juho Annala. Like Conquest, the team heads to California with little in the way of DP01 experience behind the wheel, with Annala having but one test and Pizzonia having to miss out due to clashing commitments at home.

This will be my first time competing, not only in Long Beach, but in a Champ Car, but I can't wait for the experience," the Finn confirmed, "I was doing a lot of homework in preparation for this event and, after watching several race tapes, I feel that I have a good idea of what to expect - and the expectations of pure enjoyment will definitely be on top of the list."

As has been the case in recent seasons, Bridgestone will provide the field with the choice of two tyre compounds, both of which have to be run at some point during the race - but with a twist.

"We are implementing some new rules and specifications that will enhance the on-track competition," explained executive director Al Speyer, "We have widened the gap between our primary and alternate tyres and are requiring teams to employ one unused set of alternates during the race, which is essentially like adding a third compound into the mix. Tyre strategy and more cars should lead to lots of on-track excitement, which will provide a fitting tribute to the Champ Car World Series.

"This weekend is certainly going to be a bittersweet one for Bridgestone Motorsport as, while we will be saying farewell to the Champ Car World Series, we will also be welcoming back some familiar faces and long-time Bridgestone supporters who are hopping into cars to send the series off in style. Seeing 20 Champ Cars on track for the series' final event will be a special moment."