Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge up next for Lundqvist, INDYCAR

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) rookie Linus Lundqvist will be behind the wheel of the No. 8 American Legion Honda when he and the rest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES head to Palm Springs for a unique event – with around $500,000 going to the winner.

The Thermal Club is hosting its $1 Million Challenge event, which includes a $1.756 million purse – the largest purse for an INDYCAR SERIES race outside of the Indianapolis 500. The weekend includes a crucial two-day Open Test, group qualifying sessions, two heat races and a 12-car “all-star” race.

The 20-lap, 61.34-mile race includes most of that South Palm circuit and adds a demanding trajectory on top to get to a total of 19 turns. The layout consists of sweepers, tight corners, long straightaways and elevation changes.

Lundqvist made his debut in the No. 8 car featuring Be the One branding in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He qualified 19th and had moved up to the top 15 before being put into a barrier by Romain Grosjean. Lundqvist lost three laps and wound up 23rd.

Defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champ Alex Palou also will carry American Legion branding this weekend on CGR’s No. 10 DHL Honda. Palou opened the season with a sixth-place finish in St. Petersburg.

This weekend’s broadcast schedule (all times ET):

·         Friday March 22 – noon-2p.m., Open Test Session 1; 5-8 p.m., Open Test Session 2 (both Peacock).

·         Saturday, March 23 – noon-2 p.m., Open Test Session 3; 4-6 p.m., Open Test Session 4; 8-8:45 p.m., Qualifications (all Peacock).

·         Sunday, March 24 – 12:30-3 p.m., NTT INDYCAR SERIES race (NBC and Peacock).