By: Spencer Neff
March 6, 2024

This year’s rookie class is set to feature no less than four drivers battling for the Rookie of the Year Award.

As has become the norm for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the group of six (not including Kyle Larson, who makes his INDYCAR debut at the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge) boast a number of accomplishments across several disciplines of racing.

While two have participated in an INDYCAR race before, four drivers will turn their first official laps in series competition at this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Here’s a look at the rookie class of 2024.

Tom Blomqvist

The first driver in this year’s class to make his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut, Blomqvist raced in there events subbing for the injured Simon Pagenaud at Meyer Shank Racing. In those events, Blomqvist recorded a best start of 20th in his debut at Toronto with a best finish of 24th at Portland.

Prior to 2024, Blomqvist raced for two seasons with MSR in their IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, winning five races and the 2022 DPi (Daytona Prototype) Championship with co-driver Olivier Jarvis.

Blomqvist has also drove for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, with their GTLM (Grand Touring Le Mans) program.

Before making his name in touring and sports cars, the Cambridge, England native won the 2010 Formula Renault Championship and was runner-up in 2014’s European Formula 3.

Linus Lundqvist

Following a dominant 2022 Indy Lights (now Indy NXT by Firestone) championship season, Linus Lundqvist was unable to secure an NTT INDYCAR SERIES ride. Like Blomqvist, Lundqvist was given an opportunity with MSR following Pagenaud’s injury.

The Stockholm, Sweden-born racer made an impression right off the bat, making the Fast 12 and qualifying 11th in his debut on the Streets of Nashville. A week later, he finished 12th at the Gallagher Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, his best INDYCAR finish in three starts.

The string of performances was enough to impress Chip Ganassi Racing, where Lundqvist will race the No. 8 car as he vies for Rookie of the Year. Lundqvist will look to add to a resume that already boasts championships in Formula Regional Americas and British Formula 3.

Kyffin Simpson

This weekend, Simpson will make history when he climbs aboard his Chip Ganassi Racing entry. Born in Bridgetown, Barbados and racing under the flag of his childhood home of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Simpson will be the first driver from either to participate in an INDYCAR event.

Simpson won the 2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship, just two seasons removed from his karting background. In 2023, Simpson was champion of the European Le Mans Series LMP2 Class with Algarve Pro Racing on the strength of two victories. He also earned pole for the INDY NXT race at Road America and finished runner-up in the seres’ event at Mid-Ohio.

Simpson also has class victories at Petit Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, both of which were in 2022.

Colin Braun

Like Blomqvist and Simpson, Braun arrives for his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut with an extensive sports car resume to his name.

Braun has three class wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, including a 2023 overall win as part of a Meyer Shank team that included Blomqvist. The Ovolo, Texas racer also earned a class victory with Algarve Pro Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 2023 LMP2 Pro-Am class.

Also included in his resume are three IMSA class championships and a win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Michigan International Speedway in 2009. He will contest the first two NTT INDYCAR SERIES events for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing with more possible later in 2024.

Christian Rasmussen

After winning the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone Championship, Rasmussen graduates to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2024. This season, he will race the No. 20 for Ed Carpenter Racing and will pilot a third ECR entry during the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Like Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood, Rasmussen won championships win all three levels of the Road to Indy.

In 2021, the Copenhagen, Denmark driver won the USF Pro 2000 (then Indy Pro 2000) Championship and won the USF 2000 Championship the year prior.

Nolan Siegel

(Author’s note: Siegel will participate in four NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, maintaining his eligibility for Rookie of the Year in 2025)

Born in Palo Alto, California, Siegel won his first race as part of the Road to Indy at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2021, winning the third USF2000 race with DEForce Racing. A year later, Siegel and DEForce moved on to the Indy Pro 2000 Series, winning two races and two poles en route to a fourth-place championship finish.

Last year, Siegel won two events driving for INDY NXT’s HMD Motorsport with Dale Coyne Racing (Detroit 2 and Road America). He also earned IMSA LMP2 class victories at Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans driving for CrowdStrike Racing by APR .

Overseas, he would notch another LMP2 victory in the Asian Le Mans Series with Inter Europol Competition at the Dubai Autrodome. Siegel will make his first of four scheduled appearances in the No. 18 at the March 22-24 Thermal Club event with Dale Coyne Racing.

Header Image Chris Owens/INDYCAR