The NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ first non-points race since 2008 at the Thermal Club in California was an experiment that went well for the sport; the drivers enjoyed something different in terms of the event as it was a test and then some heat races culminating in the $1 million Challenge which was won by defending series champion Alex Palou in the No.10 Ridgeline Lubricants DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
Palou said that if the event is on the calendar next season, he wants it to be an entire championship event awarding full points. Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing, who finished the $1 million Challenge in third place, said he was delighted for the team and hopes the podium finish is the first of many this season.
The event was split into two Heat races, with races divided into two, with 13 cars in one event and 14 in the other, with the top six from each race going through to the $1 million Challenge.
The event was made for TV by INDYCAR SERIES broadcast partner NBC, with Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe all providing their regular commentary.
The event was a big success even though NBC had a TAD of 816,000.
(Video courtesy of INDYCAR via Youtube.com)