NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Non-points round
The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge (USA)
After a strong start to the season two weeks ago in St. Petersburg, Felix Rosenqvist returns to action in a unique format this weekend in a quest for cash instead of points in the INDYCAR $1 Million Challenge.
Staged at The Thermal Club private track in California, INDYCAR’s first non-championship round since 2008 features a battle for fortune and glory, with over $1 million on the line in the series’ largest-ever prize purse outside of the Indianapolis 500.
Further adding to the novelty of the showcase event – which does not count for championship points – it all plays out in an exciting new knockout format, culminating in a 12-car, 20-lap shootout.
“This will be a bit of an experimental weekend where there is less on the line in terms of points, but a million dollars up for grabs, which is crazy!” says Felix Rosenqvist. “The weekend format is also new, so whoever figures out everything the quickest will probably walk away with the cash. Let’s bring it on!”
The event begins with four open test sessions, leading into qualifying on Saturday which will set the field for a pair of heat races to take place on Sunday. These heat races will be contested over 10 laps, or 20 minutes, with the first six finishers from each heat moving on to the “all-star” feature race. It will mark the first occurrence of heat races in INDYCAR competition since 2013 (Iowa Speedway).
The 12 drivers advancing to the finale will then engage in two 10-lap segments, divided by a short “halftime”break where refuelling and small set-up changes will be allowed. The winner of the second 10-lap leg will take home $500,000 with $350,000 going to the runner-up and $250,000 to the third-placed driver.
MORE: Full rules and format explanation – The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge
Rosenqvist arrives at The Thermal Club, which staged INDYCAR’s official pre-season test in 2023, fielding high hopes after a promising first outing with Meyer Shank Racing in the St. Pete season-opener, where he set a new lap record in qualifying and eventually finished seventh to clinch the team’s best result in almost two years.
The Swede will again be carrying the Bon Jovi Radio (SiriusXM Ch. 312) colours on his MSR #60 machine during the $1 Million Challenge weekend.
“It will be really interesting to race at Thermal for the first time,” Felix Rosenqvist adds. “We of course had the opportunity to test there last year, so it’s nice going into the weekend with some sort of familiarity, but racing at the track will be a different story. I can’t wait to try it out!”
The first pair of open test sessions to commence the weekend will take place on Friday.
TIME TABLE
All times local (U.S. Pacific)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Non-championship round
The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge
The Thermal Club (USA)
Friday 22 March
Open Test 1: 9:00-11:00 am
Open Test 2: 2:00-5:00 pm
Saturday 23 March
Open Test 3: 9:00-11:00 am
Open Test 4: 1:00-3:00 pm
Qualifying: 5:00-5:40 pm
Sunday 24 March
Heat Race 1 (10 laps): 9:15-9:35 am
Heat Race 2 (10 laps): 9:45-10:05 am
All-star Race (10+10 laps): 10:50 am
TIMING: INDYCAR App / racecontrol.indycar.com
HOW TO WATCH: view here
ENTRY LIST: view here
TRACK DATA: view here