By: Spencer Neff
March 21, 2025
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to action this weekend for their first of seven races on a pemanent road course. After hosting the $1 Million Challenge exhibition in 2024, the Thermal Club will host the second of 17 rounds in the 2025 season.
.It is the first points-paying race the 3.067-mile, 17-turn road course in Thermal, California (near Palm Springs).
Before the 27 cars and drivers, hit the track, here’s a look at the big stories to watch.
Headlines
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou began his quest for a third consecutive and fourth championship in five years just like his first in 2021:winning the season opener.
Three weeks ago, the Spaniard climbed from eighth on the grid to win the Firestone Grand Prix, his 12th career victory. Teammate Scott Dixon finished second with Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden in third.
Now, Palou returns to a track where he won the 20-lap exhibition race in 2024. In the exhibition race, Palou finished 5.7929 seconds ahead of Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, who started on pole and finished in fourth at St. Petersburg.
Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist was third. The Swede began his second campaign with MSR by starting third and finishing seventh. On the first lap, the three were involved of in a crash in Turn 3.
Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix Fast Facts
Race weekend: Friday, March 21-Sunday, March 23
Track: The Thermal Club, a 3.067-mile, 17-turn road course (counterclockwise) in Thermal,California
Race distances: 65 laps/199.36 miles
Push-to-pass parameters: 150 seconds of total time, with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation
Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation, with a maximum deployment of 610 kilojoules (kj) per lap
Firestone tire allotment: Six sets primary, four sets alternate to be used during the eventweekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate tires for at least two laps in therace.
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Event website: http://www.thermalgp.com
INDYCAR website: http://www.indycar.com
2024 race winner: Inaugural Event (Alex Palou won The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge exhibition race in2024.)
Qualifying record:Inaugural Event
FOX Sports telecast: Practice 1, 6:30 p.m. ET, Friday, FS1 (live);
Practice 2, 1 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live);
Qualifying, 5 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live);
Warmup, 11 a.m. ET Sunday,FS1 (live);
Race, 3 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX (live).
Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and JamesHinchcliffe. Jamie Little, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters.
INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analystDavey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Jake Query,Jonathan Grace and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix ofrace and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
At-track schedule (All times local/Pacific Time):
Friday, March 21
3:35-4:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 (split group format), FS1
Saturday, March 22
10-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (Limited green flag guarantee of 45 minutes),FS1
3:35-4:55 p.m. – The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix NTT P1 Award qualifying (three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1
Sunday, March 23
8:02-8:27 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS1
Noon – FOX on air
12:10 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
12:17 p.m. – The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix (65 laps/199.36 miles), FOX (Live)
Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 