By: Spencer Neff
June 7, 2024
While the NTT INDYCAR SERIES caps off a busy stretch of four races in five weeks this weekend in the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, there have been several off-track stories making the news.
Headlines
Following multiple instances of reported online threats and harassment to driver Theo Pourchaire in the wake of an on-track incident with Agustin Canapino, Arrow McLaren has announced an end to their commercial alliance with Juncos Hollinger Racing.
On Wednesday, Dale Coyne Racing announced Luca Ghiotto will rejoin the team for this weekend and the June 23 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Ghiotto made starts at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Barber Motorsports Park also month.
The Italian’s best effort was in his debut, where he started and finished 21st at Barber.
While Helio Castroneves returns to the No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing entry for this weekend, the driver for the rest of 2024 was revealed.
David Malukas will join the team for the June 23 race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and remain in the No. 66 for the rest of 2024.
“I am extremely grateful to Jim Meyer, Mike Shank and the entire Meyer Shank Racing team for the opportunity to finish out the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season,” said Malukas.
Malukas, who originally signed with Arrow McLaren for the season, suffered a wrist injury in February and was released from the team on April 29.
“Despite setbacks earlier this year, I have been diligently focusing on my recovery, putting in the necessary effort and dedication to get back to peak condition. I am ready and excited to be back in the car, aiming to make the most of this chance and deliver strong performances for the team and our supporters. This opportunity means a great deal to me, and I am determined to repay the faith shown in me with my best efforts on the track.”
Tom Blomqvist, who started the first six races for MSR, will remain with the organization.
This whole process has been extremely difficult on myself and (team co-owner) Jim Meyer,” said Mike Shank. “There were so many things for us to consider as we need to do everything we can to make up ground in the championship and Leader Circle standings. We are pleased to have David (Malukas) join us as he has both experience and potential and we are looking forward to having him join us starting in Milwaukee for the test and then going racing with him at Laguna.”
On-track, Chip Ganassi Racing will look to continue their recent success. The organization has won four of the last five races on the 4.014-mile, 14-turn permanent road course. Scott Dixon and Alex Palou each have won a pair of races at the venue.
Sophomore driver Marcus Armstrong will look to continue the success built on last week’s third-place effort at Detroit, the first podium of the CGR driver’s career.
XPEL Grand Prix at Road Americapresented by AMR Fast Facts
Race weekend: Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9
Track: Road America, a 4.014-mile, 14-turn permanent road course (clockwise), in Elkhart Lake,Wisconsin
Race distance:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
55 laps / 220.77 miles
INDY NXT by Firestone
20 laps / 80.28 miles or 55 minutes
Push-to-pass parameters:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
200 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation
INDY NXT by Firestone
150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation
Firestone tire allotment:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Seven sets primary, four sets alternate for use during the raceweekend. Teams must use one set of primary and one new set of alternate tires unless wetconditions are declared. One additional set is available for the weekend’s first session to teamsfielding a rookie driver.
INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets to be used during the race weekend.
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Event website: http://www.roadamerica.com
INDYCAR website: http://www.indycar.com
2023 race winners:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Alex Palou (No. 10 The American Legion Honda)
INDY NXT by Firestone
Nolan Siegel (No. 39 HMD Motorsports)
2023 NTT P1 Award winner:
Colton Herta (No. 26 Gainbridge Honda) 1:40.1945, 144.223 mph
2023 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner:
Kyffin Simpson (No. 21 HMD Motorsports) 1:49.1028, 132.448 mph
Qualifying lap record:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Dario Franchitti, 1:39.866, 145.924 mph, Aug. 19, 2000
INDY NXT by Firestone
Kyffin Simpson, 1:49.1028, 132.448 mph, June 17, 2023
NBC Sports race telecast: 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, June 9, NBC (live). Leigh Diffey is the play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports’ coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analystsTownsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe.
Peacock live streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying willstream live on Peacock, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product. NBC’s XPEL GrandPrix at Road America presented by AMR race telecast also will be simulcast on the streamingservice. The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America will be streamed on Peacockwith practice and qualifying shown on INDYCAR LIVE.
INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analystDavey Hamilton. Jake Query and Nick Yeoman are the turn announcers. Michael Young andRyan Myrehn are the pit reporters. The XPEL Grand Prix at Road America presented by AMRrace (3 p.m. ET Sunday), INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America (1 p.m. Sunday)and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone practices and qualifying sessions airlive on network affiliates, SiriusXM 218, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App poweredby NTT DATA.
At-track schedule (all times Central Time):
Friday, June 7
1:50-2:35 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 1, INDYCAR LIVE
3-4:15 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1, Peacock
Saturday, June 8
9-9:45 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 2, INDYCAR LIVE
10:10-11:10 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (45 minutes of green flag or 60 totalminutes), Peacock
1:30-2 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (two groups/12 minutes each), INDYCAR LIVE
2:25-3:55 p.m. Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock
Sunday, June 9
11:15-11:45 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, Peacock
12:10 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America command to start engines
12:15 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America (20 laps/55 minutes), Peacock
2 p.m. Driver introductions
2:38 p.m. XPEL Grand Prix at Road America command to start engines
2:45 p.m. XPEL Grand Prix at Road America (55 laps/222.64 miles), NBC (live)
Header Image By Chris Jones/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 