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2024 $1 Million Challenge

(Redirected from 2024 Thermal Club $1 Million Dollar Challenge)

The 2024 $1 Million Challenge was a non-championship round held as part of the 2024 IndyCar Series. The race was held on March 24, 2024 at The Thermal Club private race resort in Thermal, California. The feature race consisted of 20 laps and was won by Álex Palou.[1] It was the sixth American championship open-wheel racing event in Riverside County, the first since the 1983 Budweiser 500km.

Race details
Date March 24, 2024
Official name $1 Million Challenge
Location Thermal, California
Course Permanent circuit
3.067 mi (4.936 km)
Distance All-Star Race
20 Laps
61.34 mi (98.72 km)
Heat 1
Pole
Driver Sweden Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing
Time 01:38.5831
Fastest Lap
Driver New Zealand Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing
Time 01:40.7795 (lap 3)
Podium
First Sweden Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing
Second New Zealand Scott McLaughlin Team Penske
Third United States Josef Newgarden Team Penske
Heat 2
Pole
Driver Spain Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing
Time 01:38.5675
Fastest Lap
Driver Spain Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing
Time 01:39.8051 (lap 3)
Podium
First Spain Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing
Second New Zealand Marcus Armstrong Chip Ganassi Racing
Third United States Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Feature Race
Pole
Driver Spain Álex Palou[N 1] Chip Ganassi Racing
Time 01:38.5675
Fastest Lap
Driver Spain Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing
Time 01:41.6145 (lap 12)
Podium
First Spain Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing
Second New Zealand Scott McLaughlin Team Penske
Third Sweden Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing

Entry list

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Further information: 2024 IndyCar Series § Confirmed entries
Key Meaning
 R  Rookie
 W  Past winner
No. Driver Team Engine
2   Josef Newgarden Team Penske Chevrolet
3   Scott McLaughlin Team Penske Chevrolet
4   Kyffin Simpson  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
5   Pato O'Ward Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
6   Callum Ilott Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
7   Alexander Rossi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
8   Linus Lundqvist  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
9   Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
10   Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
11   Marcus Armstrong Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
12   Will Power Team Penske Chevrolet
14   Santino Ferrucci A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet
15   Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
18   Nolan Siegel  R  Dale Coyne Racing Honda
20   Christian Rasmussen  R  Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
21   Rinus VeeKay Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
26   Colton Herta Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian Honda
27   Kyle Kirkwood Andretti Global Honda
28   Marcus Ericsson Andretti Global Honda
30   Pietro Fittipaldi Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
41   Sting Ray Robb A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet
45   Christian Lundgaard Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
51   Colin Braun  R  Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda
60   Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing Honda
66   Tom Blomqvist  R  Meyer Shank Racing Honda
77   Romain Grosjean Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
78   Agustín Canapino Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Source:[2]

Qualifying

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Qualifying started at 5:00 PM PT on March 23, 2024. The 27 entries were divided into two groups determined by a random draw, with each group competing in separate heat races.[3][4] Drivers were permitted to use up to 40 seconds of push-to-pass, marking the first time competitors have been allowed to use PTP during an IndyCar quali session.[5]

Heat 1 Qualifying

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Pos No. Driver Team Engine Time Final
grid
1 60   Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing Honda 01:38.5831 1
2 3   Scott McLaughlin Team Penske Chevrolet 01:38.6068 2
3 21   Rinus VeeKay Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 01:38.6283 3
4 45   Christian Lundgaard Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 01:38.6394 4
5 2   Josef Newgarden Team Penske Chevrolet 01:38.7926 5
6 12   Will Power Team Penske Chevrolet 01:38.8056 6
7 77   Romain Grosjean Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet 01:38.8774 7
8 78   Agustín Canapino Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet 01:39.5994 8
9 9   Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 01:39.7074 9
10 14   Santino Ferrucci A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 01:39.7400 10
11 26   Colton Herta Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian Honda 01:39.8331 11
12 18   Nolan Siegel  R  Dale Coyne Racing Honda 01:40.1218 12
13 27   Kyle Kirkwood Andretti Global Honda 01:40.1268 13
14 41   Sting Ray Robb A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 01:41.5352 14
Source:[6]
Notes
  • Bold text indicates fastest time set in session.

Heat 2 Qualifying

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Pos No. Driver Team Engine Time Final
grid
1 10   Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 01:38.5675 1
2 11   Marcus Armstrong Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 01:38.7575 2
3 15   Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 01:38.9723 3
4 8   Linus Lundqvist  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 01:39.0685 4
5 66   Tom Blomqvist  R  Meyer Shank Racing Honda 01:39.0820 5
6 30   Pietro Fittipaldi Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 01:39.1117 6
7 7   Alexander Rossi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 01:39.1140 7
8 6   Callum Ilott Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 01:39.2575 8
9 5   Pato O'Ward Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 01:39.4293 9
10 4   Kyffin Simpson  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 01:39.9502 10
11 20   Christian Rasmussen  R  Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 01:40.2820 11
12 51   Colin Braun  R  Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda 01:40.7843 12
13 28   Marcus Ericsson Andretti Global Honda No Time 13
Source:[7]
Notes
  • Bold text indicates fastest time set in session.

Results

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The event started at 9:15 am PT on March 24, 2024.

Each heat race was 10 laps or 20 minutes. The top six finishers from each heat advanced to the All-Star Race. The faster of the two heat winners in qualifying earned pole for the feature race, and determined grid positioning. The feature race was 20 laps, with a half-time break at lap 10.[3]

Heat 1

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Pos No. Driver Team Engine Laps Time/Retired Grid
1 60   Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing Honda 8 13:30.9622 1
2 3   Scott McLaughlin Team Penske Chevrolet 8 +0.4971 2
3 2   Josef Newgarden Team Penske Chevrolet 8 +1.7664 5
4 45   Christian Lundgaard Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 8 +6.3835 4
5 78   Agustín Canapino Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet 8 +8.7479 8
6 26   Colton Herta Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian Honda 8 +15.8230 11
7 18   Nolan Siegel  R  Dale Coyne Racing Honda 8 +16.4113 12
8 14   Santino Ferrucci A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 8 +17.0148 10
9 12   Will Power Team Penske Chevrolet 8 +17.8747 6
10 27   Kyle Kirkwood Andretti Global Honda 8 +21.4089 13
11 41   Sting Ray Robb A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 8 +21.7870 14
12 9   Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 8 +25.7655 9
13 21   Rinus VeeKay Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 0 Contact 3
14 77   Romain Grosjean Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet 0 Contact 7
Fastest lap:   Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 1:40.7795 (lap 3)
Source:[8]

Heat 2

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Pos No. Driver Team Engine Laps Time/Retired Grid
1 10   Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 10 16:50.6089 1
2 11   Marcus Armstrong Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 10 +5.3375 2
3 15   Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 10 +18.0911 3
4 8   Linus Lundqvist  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 10 +18.9634 4
5 30   Pietro Fittipaldi Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 10 +19.7151 6
6 7   Alexander Rossi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 10 +20.3456 7
7 5   Pato O'Ward Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 10 +21.0031 9
8 66   Tom Blomqvist  R  Meyer Shank Racing Honda 10 +23.1783 5
9 6   Callum Ilott Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 10 +23.3908 8
10 20   Christian Rasmussen  R  Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 10 +24.1938 11
11 4   Kyffin Simpson  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 10 +25.8233 10
12 28   Marcus Ericsson Andretti Global Honda 10 +26.5815 13
13 51   Colin Braun  R  Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda 10 +28.8333 12
Fastest lap:   Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 1:39.8051 (lap 3)
Source:[9]

All-Star Race

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Pos No. Driver Team Engine Laps Time/Retired Grid
1 10   Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 20 39:30.2292 1
2 3   Scott McLaughlin Team Penske Chevrolet 20 +5.7929 4
3 60   Felix Rosenqvist Meyer Shank Racing Honda 20 +9.7587 2
4 26   Colton Herta Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian Honda 20 +13.1126 12
5 11   Marcus Armstrong Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 20 +15.0938 3
6 8   Linus Lundqvist  R  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 20 +16.1064 7
7 7   Alexander Rossi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 20 +16.5393 10
8 2   Josef Newgarden Team Penske Chevrolet 20 +17.6675 6
9 45   Christian Lundgaard Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 20 +19.7073 11
10 78   Agustín Canapino Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet 20 +20.4100 9
11 15   Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 9 Mechanical 5
DSQ 30   Pietro Fittipaldi Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda Disqualified 8
Fastest lap:   Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 1:41.6145 (lap 12)
Source:[10]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Pole position for the main race was determined by the fastest qualifying time of the two heat winners.

References

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  1. ^ Gintz, Alex (March 24, 2024). "Alex Palou Maintains Control, Wins at Thermal Club". Frontstretch. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  2. ^ Barnes, Joey (March 22, 2024). "IndyCar Thermal Club: Staft Times, How To Watch On TV, Entry List & More". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Chapman, Simon. "ULTIMATE GUIDE: Why IndyCar's $1 Million Challenge race has so much intrigue attached". Nine's Wide World of Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Qualification Groups" (PDF). indycar.com. March 22, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  5. ^ Pruett, Marshall (March 14, 2024). "IndyCar sets Thermal race format". RACER. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Qualifications - Group 1" (PDF). indycar.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "Qualifications - Group 2" (PDF). indycar.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "Official Final Results Heat Race 1" (PDF). Indy Racing Information System. 24 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Official Final Results Heat Race 2" (PDF). Indy Racing Information System. 24 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Official Final Results All-Star Race" (PDF). Indy Racing Information System. 24 March 2024.


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