INDIANAPOLIS — Marcus Armstrong’s No. 11 Honda-powered automobile will include all the standard trimmings for this weekend’s Indianapolis Grand Prix — pace, sponsors and a shiny new paint job.

The second-year driver additionally can be carrying a message of hope.

Chip Ganassi Racing introduced Thursday that it has partnered with the Indiana College Melvin and Bren Simon Most cancers Middle and Schwartz Companions to discipline a crimson-and-cream, scientifically based mostly paint scheme that pays tribute to most cancers sufferers.

“We had been, simply as a household, eager to convey consciousness to the middle that Physician [Kelvin Lee] is part of and as a neighborhood, how lucky we’re to have a facility like this,” mentioned John Schwartz, the overall supervisor of the household’s firm. “We need to be certain that individuals perceive what we actually have right here.”

It is a message that hits dwelling for Ganassi’s crew and the 23-year-old driver from New Zealand, who made 12 begins final season.

Schwartz’s brother, Jeff, died in November after battling the illness. Jeff Schwarz had been the CEO of Schwartz Companions and he and his spouse, Jill, served as board members for the Simon Most cancers Middle since 2019.

Barry Wanser, crew supervisor for defending IndyCar Sequence champion Álex Palou, additionally was handled for throat most cancers late final 12 months and missed the season’s last few races. He returned to the crew this season following surgical procedure and chemotherapy.

“It is one thing that touches all of us,” Armstrong mentioned. “If you’re watching a race, it is a good way to distract your self from issues like this, however it’s additionally a great way to lift consciousness. And as soon as once more, I really feel prefer it’s near our hearts as a result of Barry was identified final 12 months and it was truly this race in August that he informed me about it.”

Armstrong had 5 top-10 finishes in 2023, together with a season-best sixth at Toronto. This 12 months, he has added ovals to his schedule and has posted two extra top-10s in 4 begins, together with a career-best fifth at Lengthy Seaside.

Follow and qualifying for the Indy GP are scheduled for Friday. The race is slated to be run Saturday on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 14-turn, 2.439-mile highway course.

The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Might 26 on the monitor’s conventional 2.5-mile oval.