MONTEREY, Calif. — IndyCar will maintain an all-star race subsequent 12 months at The Thermal Membership in Southern California, with $1 million assured to the winner of the made-for-TV exhibition.
The $1 Million Problem will probably be held March 24 and air on NBC, with observe and qualifying the earlier two days.
IndyCar at first of this 12 months examined at The Thermal Membership exterior Palm Springs to gauge curiosity from membership in finally internet hosting a race. Most drivers have been happy with the power, a 490-acre improvement that features 4 asphalt racetracks situated behind an 18-foot sound wall in an unincorporated city within the Coachella Valley.
John Rogers, proprietor of The Thermal Membership, stated the February check paved the way in which for the $1 Million Problem.
“The groups, drivers and your entire paddock are true professionals, and we stay up for creating our relationship with them sooner or later,” Rogers stated. “This marquee racing problem in March guarantees to be particular for everybody together with spectators, Thermal members and race followers tuning in at house.”
There will probably be restricted tickets out there for non-Thermal members to entry the occasion on the 17-turn, 3.067-mile structure.
No factors will probably be awarded, and the occasion could have a format in contrast to the rest on the IndyCar schedule. There will probably be a draw occasion that can embed members of The Thermal Membership with a race crew and driver.
There will probably be a qualifying session and two warmth races through which the highest six from every warmth advance to the principle occasion. The highest 5 ending groups will cut up their earnings with The Thermal Membership members, together with the $1 million prize awarded to the champion.
The occasion offers IndyCar a race throughout its historically lengthy break between its season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida, in early March and the resumption of the sequence, usually a month later.
“It should be a made-for-TV occasion that I believe needs to be very fascinating and get individuals who usually would not be watching us to observe us race at a distinct place,” stated Mark Miles, Penske Leisure Corp. president and CEO.
The $1 Million Problem and the IndyCar season finale in Nashville are the one two occasions up to now introduced on the 2024 schedule. IndyCar continues to be finalizing a handful of dates, together with the annual avenue race in downtown Toronto, and dealing with broadcast accomplice NBC Sports activities, which is pausing racing protection through the Olympics.
Laguna Seca is internet hosting the IndyCar season finale Sunday for the third time since 2019. The sequence didn’t race in California in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the race was the penultimate occasion on the 2021 schedule.
Laguna Seca is anticipated to land a June spot on the 2024 IndyCar calendar.