NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Non-championship round
The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge (USA)
Felix Rosenqvist wrapped up INDYCAR’s $1 Million Challenge event with third place in the concluding “all-star” finale at The Thermal Club, pocketing $250,000 and his first podium with Meyer Shank Racing.
Having powered to pole for his heat race in qualifying on Saturday, Rosenqvist converted his lead into victory in the first knockout sprint that opened Sunday’s proceedings in California, easily progressing to the 20-lap “Sprint for the Purse” finale featuring 12 drivers.
Playing out in an exploratory format of 10+10 laps with a short break in between, Rosenqvist started second in the finale and was sitting third at the mid-race pause by lap ten. He maintained position in the ensuing final 10-lap segment, coming home behind winner Alex Palou and Scott McLaughlin.
The effort marks a maiden podium for the new Rosenqvist/Meyer Shank Racing constellation at only the second time of asking, and MSR’s first rostrum in INDYCAR competition since 2022.
“It’s been an awesome weekend,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “We rolled out good here and kept our cool, did our own thing and we ended up maximizing what we had. We got our first pole. We won the heat race, which was cool, but we did have a lot of tyre deg and needed a bit of a different strategy going into the main race. I couldn’t really follow Alex and Scott, but overall I’m super pleased for the team and our first podium together.”
Although a non-championship race, the innovative $1 Million Challenge event gave Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing several reasons to celebrate, with third place yielding a $250,000 slice of the prize purse – and plenty of track time offering crucial testing opportunities.
“This was a huge learning experience for us,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “Being out there for three days, trying stuff, learning the car – it means a massive amount. We’re still new together and getting to know each other, but this is a huge statement for us.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to action at the Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19-21, resuming the regular, points-paying championship campaign.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Non-championship round
The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge
The Thermal Club (USA)
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 20 laps
2: Scott McLaughlin (NZL), Penske, +5.792s
3: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, +9.758s
4: Colton Herta (USA), Andretti, +13.112s
5: Marcus Armstrong (NZL), Ganassi, +15.093s