By: Spencer Neff
July 31, 2023

While he is still recovering and waiting for clearance to return following his July 1 practice crash at Mid-Ohio, Simon Pagenaud will miss this weekend’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the Streets of Nashville.

Pagenaud’s absence will have the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing entry occupied by a third driver in the four races since his accident.

After Conor Daly (Mid-Ohio and Iowa) and Tom Blomqvist (Toronto) filled in, 2022 Indy Lights (now Indy NXT by Firestone) Champion Linus Lundqvist will make his first INDYCAR start this weekend.

“This is a moment I’ve been dreaming of literally since the start of my career,” the Swede exclaimed in this morning’s announcement.

“I could not be more excited about the prospect of finally making my NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut; I am extremely grateful to Meyer Shank Racing for this opportunity. This will be an incredible experience, but also the toughest challenge of my life.”

After a dominant season that includes five race victories and nine pole positions, Lundqvist earned the Indy Lights Championship for HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing.

Included in those totals are a victory from the pole at this same 2.1-mile,11-turn temporary street circuit.

Lundqvist has participated in multiple tests with INDYCAR teams, including Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at Texas in April as well as Ed Carpenter Racing at Sebring International Raceway in June.

“Last but not least, I would like to wish Simon Pagenaud a continued speedy recovery,” he concluded.

“While fully aware of everything I have to learn this weekend, I will do my very best to make him and everyone else on the team proud in Music City.”

He joins fellow Swedes Marcus Ericsson (winner of the inaugural Nashville race in 2021) and Felix Rosenqvist on the grid.

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR