Alex Palou won IndyCar’s Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge in emphatic fashion, leading Scott McLaughlin home by six seconds in the 20-lap final.
IndyCar articles archive
The most famous IndyCar race is the Indianapolis 500, held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in front of huge crowds. However American open-wheel racing has a chequered history.
The championship reached its peak in the late eighties and early nineties under the sanctioning body CART. It attracted huge international attention as Formula 1 champions including Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti competed in it.
However the creation of the rival Indy Racing League in 1996 created a split which badly damaged the championship. CART, which rebranded as Champ Car, fell into decline. By 2008, with Champ Car on the bring of collapse, the two series finally merged, but the damage had been.
Nonetheless today’s IndyCar championship retains a reputation for spectacular racing with its single-specification chassis and features a broad range of circuits including road, street and traditional American oval courses.
Rosenqvist controls heat one but Palou takes pole for final in heat two
IndyCar
Posted onFelix Rosenqvist and Alex Palou won IndyCar’s two heat races at The Thermal Club, meaning they will share the front row of the grid for the final.
Rosenqvist and Palou claim pole positions for Thermal heat races
IndyCar
Posted onFelix Rosenqvist and reigning champion Alex Palou will start their respective heat races at Thermal Club from pole position.
IndyCar drivers unsure if “phenomenal” Thermal track will produce good racing
IndyCar
Posted onIndyCar drivers praised the track they will race on for the first time this weekend but are unsure how easy it will be to overtake.
IndyCar will judge fan reaction before committing to more Thermal Club races
IndyCar
Posted onIndyCar’s CEO says the series will heed the reaction of fans to its first event at the Thermal Club this weekend before deciding whether to hold more.
How IndyCar’s no-points, million-dollar ‘made-for-TV race’ will work
IndyCar
Posted onThere are no points on the table for the IndyCar drivers this weekend but there is a huge cash purse in what the series calls a “made-for-TV racing exhibition.”
Ilott to stand in for injured Malukas at non-championship Thermal Club race
IndyCar
Posted onCallum Ilott will stand in for the injured David Malukas at McLaren in next week’s non-championship event at the Thermal Club.
Newgarden claims commanding win in IndyCar season-opener
IndyCar
Posted onJosef Newgarden controlled proceedings from start to finish in the IndyCar season-opener at St Petersburg.
Newgarden on pole for season-opener, champion Palou 13th
IndyCar
Posted onJosef Newgarden will start the first race of the new IndyCar season from pole position after a close qualifying session at St Petersburg.
Ilott feels his IndyCar exit was “premature”
IndyCar
Posted onCallum Ilott says his departure from IndyCar last year after just two full seasons at Juncos Hollinger felt “premature.”
Coyne appoint part-time trio while McLaren confirm Ilott for season-opener
IndyCar
Posted onDale Coyne have announced three drivers who will share their two IndyCar entries this year. At McLaren, Callum Ilott will substitute for David Malukas.
Pictures: Palou leads IndyCar Sebring test as drivers adjust to lighter cars
IndyCar
Posted onReigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou headed a 15-car IndyCar test in Sebring though less than a second covered the entire field.
Ilott gets McLaren test call-up as team seeks substitute for Malukas
IndyCar
Posted onMcLaren will run Callum Ilott in an IndyCar test this week as it seeks a substitute for injured driver David Malukas.
Malukas expected to miss McLaren debut after surgery on wrist
IndyCar
Posted onDavid Malukas, who was due to make his debut for McLaren’s IndyCar team in the season opener next month, is expected to miss the race following surgery to his left wrist.
IndyCar moves final race from Nashville street track to oval
IndyCar
Posted onIndyCar has announced a change of venue for the final race of 2024, less than one month before the championship is due to begin.
Why IndyCar drivers fear new hybrids could prove a “season-killer” for them
IndyCar
Posted onWith IndyCar set to introduce new hybrid engines midway through the 2024 season, drivers are concerned how it may affect the championship.
IndyCar needs F1-style push for “massive gains” in viewers – O’Ward
IndyCar
Posted onMcLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward says the series needs to target a massive increase and growth and shouldn’t be afraid of making changes some will dislike.
Racing at Laguna Seca threatened by locals’ court case
IndyCar
Posted onLaguna Seca in California has become the latest circuit to face a threat to its activities from locals.
Grosjean resets his expectations as he joins third IndyCar team in four years
IndyCar
Posted onRomain Grosjean has switched from Andretti to the more modest Juncos team for this year’s IndyCar season. But he remains ambitious about 2024.
Drivers expect ‘dragon move’ ban and other Indy 500 rule changes
IndyCar
Posted onIndyCar drivers expect to see changes to the rules following the controversial conclusion to last year’s Indianapolis 500.