Following the NTT IndyCar Series’ $1 Million Challenge last season at The Thermal Club in Thermal, Calif., the event has become a points-paying race this year.
The exclusive venue for car enthusiasts will host America’s top open-wheel series this weekend, where the second race of the season will take place.
Following the season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou leads the field after masterfully winning on the temporary street circuit two weeks ago.
Here’s some notes to watch out for:
Palou, CGR Primed For More Success?
Palou, deservedly so, is the favorite to win Sunday’s 65-lap race. Aside from his win in St. Pete, the defending champion also won the exhibition race at The Thermal Club last year with ease as he led all 20 laps of the feature.
With all momentum pouring in his direction, it’d take a monster performance from another driver to dethrone Palou.
Perhaps teammate Scott Dixon, who finished second to Palou in St. Pete, could threaten. After all, Dixon was in contention to win the season opener had it not been for lack of radio communication with his crew.
Tire Strategy
Sunday’s race is primed to feature plenty of tire wear at the 3.067-mile road course. Last season during the exhibition event, the racing surface shredded tires and forced drivers to conserve their tires.
In a strategical move, Colton Herta fell multiple seconds off the pace during the opening stint of the feature race last year before powering to fourth in the 10-lap sprint.
Tire conservation could be the name of the game and see a shakeup at the front of the field.
MSR Rising?
Meyer Shank Racing’s two-car duo of Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong is already looking bright.
Both drivers contended at the front of the field at St. Pete as they qualified on the second row. While Armstrong’s day ended shy of the halfway mark, Rosenqvist remained inside the top 10 as he finished seventh.
Rosenqvist was strong in last year’s Thermal event as he started second and finished third.
MSR has a technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing, which may pay big dividends.
