Blomqvist to make IndyCar debut as substitute for Pagenaud

Tom Blomqvist will make his IndyCar debut in Toronto this weekend as a substitute for Simon Pagenaud at Meyer Shank Racing.

Pagenaud will miss his second race in a row following the huge crash he suffered during practice for the previous round at Mid-Ohio two weeks ago. His car was launched into a series of terrifying barrel rolls after he suffered a brake failure approaching the corner.

The driver confirmed in a statement he will not be able to participate in this weekend’s Indy Toronto.

“After undergoing further medical evaluation this week under the care of the IndyCar medical team, I have not been cleared to race,” said Pagenaud. “While I feel good, I am still recovering.”

The Toronto round is the first of two events on consecutive weekends for IndyCar. The series will head to the Iowa Speedway for two races the following weekend.

“With back-to-back races, there just wasn’t enough time to allow my body to fully recover in time to compete this weekend,” Pagenaud continued. “I will continue to follow the medical team’s recommendations so I can be back racing soon. Thank you everyone for your support.”

Meyer Shank co-owner Mike Shank said the team is “obviously still working to get Simon as healthy as possible; he is feeling [fine] and is ready to get back in the car once he is cleared”.

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“The decision to put Tom in the car was an easy one,” said Shank. “He’s coming off of an IMSA win at [Mosport] last weekend and I have all the confidence in the world putting him in our Indy car.”

Blomqvist is in his second year driving for Meyer Shank in the IMSA sports car series and became champion with team mate Oliver Jarvis last year. This January, Blomqvist was part of the winning crew in the Daytona 24 Hours, though several weeks later the team was fined and the drivers penalised 200 points each after it emerged they had violated the minimum tyre pressure rules during the race.

He made his IndyCar test debut with the team last year, but appreciates he will face a stern test by making his debut on the rough and demanding Toronto street circuit.

“First and foremost, I’m thinking of Simon and hoping that he recovers as quickly as possible so that he can get back behind the wheel,” said Blomqvist. “I have to thank Mike and Jim [Meyer] for considering me to fill in this weekend.

“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what IndyCar has to offer. Diving straight into the deep end is an understatement after only having one test in the MSR Indy car last year.

“I’m excited but aware of the challenges getting up to speed during a race weekend, so I’m not putting any pressure on myself. Just going to go out there soak it all in and give it all I’ve got.”

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