IndyCar is about to introduce a unique format for the upcoming $1 million challenge. This weekend, the series will hold a showcase round at a private motorsport club facility in Southern California. The event will provide teams and drivers the opportunity to test their cars over a few days and potentially earn a substantial cash bonus if they perform well in Sunday’s race.
It has been 16 years since the last time IndyCar held a non-points round, and the series aims to create an exciting experience for the drivers and an enjoyable experience for fans at home. The weekend schedule deviates from the norm, making it worth examining what the drivers can expect when they hit the track on Friday.
The location of the first IndyCar showcase race in over a decade is The Thermal Club, a private club catering to wealthy racing enthusiasts. Located in Southern California, the venue offers members the opportunity to purchase land next to the track and build homes near the safety fences. Around 100 members have built residences on the property, providing ample garage space for their valuable cars.
During the event weekend, some club members will be paired with the 27 professional drivers participating in the challenge. These members will be integrated into the teams throughout the event, giving them a firsthand view of the behind-the-scenes action necessary to put an IndyCar on track.
The track itself is a winding course with 3.067 miles of asphalt, featuring 17 turns. Although there are minimal elevation changes, the track incorporates wide curves and gravel runoff areas to keep the drivers on their toes. During the open preseason test session held here before the 2023 season, drivers were posting lap times of just under 1 minute and 40 seconds, with an average speed of 112 mph. Similar speeds are expected this weekend, with a slightly lighter car balanced by slightly harder Firestone tires.
The facility does not have permanent grandstands or midway exhibits, and it has a pit lane that is not large enough to accommodate quick pit stops. As the club was designed exclusively for members’ use, only a limited number of fans were allowed to purchase tickets for the special event. However, NBC will provide full coverage on television, allowing fans to watch comfortably from their homes.
The weekend will begin with two days of open testing, consisting of four separate sessions. These sessions serve as a replacement for the typical preseason open test that was not held before the 2024 season. They also provide valuable practice time for the drivers before the more significant race later on.
On Saturday afternoon, the 27 drivers will be divided into two groups to set fast times and qualify for the Sunday race. Unlike the standard knockout format, each driver will have a single 12-minute race to determine their starting position.
Sunday marks the beginning of the main action. The drivers from the first qualifying group will compete in a 10-lap qualifying race against their respective half of the field. The top six drivers from each qualifying race will advance to the final, while the remaining drivers will conclude their weekend. A second qualifying race will follow to determine the other half of the final.
The $1 million ultimate challenge will take place shortly after, with the 12 advanced drivers competing against each other for the cash prize. The final will consist of two 10-lap segments, with limited adjustments to fuel and wing angles between segments. Each driver will have 40 seconds of Push to Pass for each segment, and caution laps will not count towards the total. Once the 20 laps are complete, the checkered flags will wave, and the winner will claim their bonus.
The format promises to provide interesting scenarios, especially considering the substantial cash prize at stake. Although championship points are not on the line, the overall weekend winner will receive a generous $500,000 prize, along with the honor of winning the event. Other drivers with higher placements will also be generously rewarded, with second place receiving $350,000 and third place taking home $250,000. Even finishing on the podium will be highly desirable, given the significant sums of money on offer.
Drivers finishing in fourth and fifth place will receive $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, while the remaining participants will each receive $23,000. The total prize money for the weekend exceeds $1.7 million, making the event even more attractive under the title of the “One Million Dollar Challenge.”
With Texas Motor Speedway absent from the calendar, IndyCar saw an opportunity to try out a new format. The entire weekend was designed to cater to a television audience, with a mix of fun moments and intense races. This generated excitement among those in the paddock, who are eager to embrace the new format.
The two qualifying races will take place on Saturday night at 8:00 PM (eastern time), with the action being broadcast on the streaming service Peacock. The qualifying races and the final with stars will be televised by NBC starting at 12:30 PM (eastern time) on Sunday afternoon.
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Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton secured an impressive victory at the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday. Hamilton, who races for the Mercedes team, led the race from start to finish and crossed the finish line with a lead of over 10 seconds ahead of the second-placed driver.
Hamilton’s win in Monaco puts him in a favorable position in the World Drivers’ Championship. With this result, he now leads the standings, surpassing his closest rival, Max Verstappen from the Red Bull team.
The race in Monaco was marked by several exciting overtakes and moments of high tension. Additionally, pit stop strategy played a crucial role in the drivers’ performance. Hamilton and his team opted for an early pit stop, giving him a strategic advantage over his competitors.
With this victory, Hamilton once again demonstrated his skill and talent as a Formula 1 driver. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history and continues to accumulate records and achievements throughout his career.
The next race of the Formula 1 World Championship will be held at the Baku circuit in Azerbaijan. It will be interesting to see if Hamilton can maintain his momentum and secure another victory to solidify his position at the top of the standings. Formula 1 fans will certainly be eager for more exciting action in the upcoming races.
