LONG BEACH, Calif. – Dario Franchitti joined Mayor Bob Foster on the podium to accept a replica of the medallion that he would soon unveil as one of the newest members of the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.

It’s the first of many induction ceremonies that Franchitti, who retired in November from motorsports competition with four Verizon IndyCar Series championships and three Indianapolis 500 victories, will likely be involved in through the decade.

“I’m going to put this in what we call in Scotland the ‘I love me room,’ ” Franchitti said. “It’s a real privilege to be inducted. It’s a place that I’ve enjoyed coming to and a track that I’ve really enjoyed racing on. I got my first (Indy car) podium here way back in in 1998 when I finished second to Alex Zanardi, which seemed to happen quite a lot. I won my first race here for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2009, so it’s a place with great memories.”

Franchitti joined Grand Prix Association of Long Beach co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe in having medallions secured in the concrete sidewalk abutting the Long Beach Convention Center. The medallions include renditions of the racers' cars and their major achievements in motorsports.

“Dario Franchitti, Gerald Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven have made legendary contributions to the field of motorsports, and they have truly earned their place on the Motorsports Walk of Fame," said Foster, who is concluding his second and final term as mayor. “These three honorees have tremendous accomplishments, here in Long Beach and around the world. I personally want to thank (Kalkhoven) for all your investment of energy and time. Without you, this great event would not have happened.”

Kalkhoven’s KV Racing Technology, which he co-owns with 2011 Walk of Fame inductee Jimmy Vasser, won the 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach with driver Will Power. Kalkhoven’s team was also the winner of the 2005 Atlantic Championship race, and three-time Long Beach winner Sebastien Bourdais will drive the No. 11 KVSH Racing car in the 40th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13.

“To be in the company of Jimmy and (2008 honoree) Parnelli (Jones) and Dario is an honor,” said Kalkhoven (pictured center below with Vasser and Franchitti). “It really irritated me that Jimmy got in first because we’re desperately competitive. I’m sure some places will be serving his wine during this event, and I can assure you that mine is still better. At least that’s my theory.”

Kalkhoven and Forsythe purchased the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in 2005. City Council last week proposed an extension of the contract with the association through 2018, which Kalkhoven said was "a huge vote in everything that has gone on here, and I'm glad they avoided the siren call of other particular event capabilities and have stuck with us."

“We’re delighted to acknowledge the tremendous success that Dario had both here at Long Beach and in his illustrious motorsports career,” said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “And both Gerry and Kevin deserve recognition not only for their teams’ on-track success but also for their continued investment in the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach."