By: Spencer Neff
March 24, 2024
In a thoroughly dominating weekend, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou won the pole and led his heat race as well as both segments of the “Sprint for the Purse” flag to flag at the Thermal Club.
Palou, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion in 2021 and 2023 held off Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin to win the $1 Million Challenge. The money will be split between Palou and a Thermal Club member.
Chip Ganassi Racing earns their first victory in a non-points event (Scott Dixon finished second at Surfers Paradise in 2008’s Nikon Indy 300 at Surfers Paradise.)
In the series’ first non-championship event since 2008, Palou and McLaughlin led Meyer Shank’s Felix Rosenqvist, Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, Palou’s teammate Marcus Armstrong and Linus Lundqvist (the only rookie in the feature).
Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi, Penske’s Josef Newgarden, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Agustin Canapino rounded out the Top 10, as two drivers were not able to compete in the second half of the event.
Feature-Sprint for the Purse
Palou would lead through the first 10-lap segment, with McLaughlin, Rosenqvist, Armstrong, Newgarden, Lundqvist following.
The back half of the 12-car field which included Lundgaard, Rossi, Canapino, Herta, Fittipaldi and Rahal would run a conservative first stint. With a tire change not being allowed, management of their Firestones would become the name of the game early on.
Despite being the only team with all of their entries in the Feature, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing would have a rough start to the second half of the feature.
Graham Rahal would be unable to continue after his Dallara-Honda suffered a stuck throttle. Pietro Fittipaldi was disqualified after his fuel tank was not filled prior to the start. Lundgaard continued but was sent to the back of the field after emergency service.
Up front, Palou went unchallenged on the way to a dominant victory.
Heat 1
Rosenqvist would hold off McLaughlin to win the opening heat. Following them into the feature would be Newgarden, Lundgaard, Canapino and Herta.
Heading into the first corner, a chain reaction left Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean and Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rinus Veekay with the brunt of the damage. Power was also collected but continued on with minimal damage.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon was assessed a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact following the initial contact.
As a result of the early yellow, the 20-minute clock was implemented, shortening the race to eight laps rather than 10.
Not advancing from Heat 1 were rookie Nolan Siegel, Santino Ferrucci, Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood, Sting Ray Robb, Dixon, VeeKay and Grosjean.
Heat 2
Palou would cruise to victory in the second heat by 4.9673 seconds over teammate Marcus Armstrong. Joining them in the feature would be Rahal, Lundqvist, Fittipaldi and Rossi.
Finishing 7th-13th and thereby not advancing were Pato O”Ward, Tom Blomqvist, Callum Ilott, Christian Rasmussen, Kyffin Simpson, Marcus Ericsson and Colin Braun. The 10-lap second heat was run without incident.
Up Next
While the next championship event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, April 21’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, is four weeks away, there will be on-track action in between now and then.
On April 10-11, the 35 expected participants for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will partake in an Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Stay with IndyCar1909.com for the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 