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| IndyCars and The Thermal Club proved earlier this year that this special private complex and these platforms make for a very exciting challenge. Big difference between the all teams Open Test that coincided with the first of the year Content Days held at the Palm Springs Convention Center and this $1 Million Dollar Sprint Challenge Event announced for 2024 is that these cars and drivers will not be posing for team test bragging rights - there will be real driving in anger goin' on up in here! Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023) |
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will bring its pulsating, wheel-to-wheel action to
The Thermal Club for a unique, made-for-TV racing exhibition during the 2024
season. The special event from sunny Southern California will offer a $1
million prize to the winner and will receive a network broadcast showcase on
NBC.
Race Day for the $1 Million Challenge is set for Sunday, March 24 with an
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test and qualifications to take place Friday and
Saturday March 22-23.
“The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will add an incredible new event to our schedule
with next year’s spectacular racing showcase at The Thermal Club,” said
Penske Entertainment Corp. President & CEO Mark Miles. “This world-class
venue just down the road from the world’s premier entertainment market is
the perfect place to bring our hyper-competitive racing and growing star
power.”
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| The Thermal Club's North & South circuits will now play host to a serious Professional Motorsports Championship Series in an actual competition for broadcast attention and decent money - the series championship points will be placed on hold. Image Credit: Fastlaps |
While championship points will not be on the line, the event will feature a
multimillion-dollar purse. A draw party to begin the event will embed
members of The Thermal Club with each race team and driver. The weekend
format will include a qualifying session and two heat races, with the top
six from each heat advancing to an All-Star showcase. The top five finishing
teams will split their earnings with The Thermal Club members, including a
$1 million prize awarded to the winner.
There will be a charitable component to the event that will be announced at
a later date.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES hosted a successful Open Test on the 17-turn,
3.067-mile layout in February to jump-start the 2023 racing season.
“The experience the teams had at The Thermal Club was second to none,”
INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “We treated it like a preseason scrimmage,
and, looking back, it was the perfect launch to this record-breaking season.
“The facility is spectacular, and we cannot wait to return and showcase
INDYCAR in a whole new way.”
The private, world-class facility, located just outside of Palm Springs,
California, is an expansive 490-acre property known as the ultimate
destination for driving-minded motorsports enthusiasts. Located at the base
of the Santa Rosa Mountains, The Thermal Club has everything from luxury
homes to a motorsports village and gourmet restaurants. The facility was
named “Professional Motorsport Facility of the Year” at the 2017
Professional Motorsports World Expo in Germany.
“After having a smooth 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES test, we are proud to welcome
INDYCAR back to The Thermal Club during the 2024 season,” said John Rogers,
owner, The Thermal Club. “The teams, drivers and the entire INDYCAR SERIES
paddock are true professionals, and we look forward to developing our
relationship with them in the future. This marquee racing showcase in March
promises to be special for everyone, including spectators, Thermal members
and race fans tuning in at home.”
There will be limited tickets available to INDYCAR fans, with more details
to be provided in the future.
This year’s season concludes today, Sunday, Sept. 10 with the stars of the
NTT INDYCAR SERIES taking on world-famous WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway at
2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Telemundo Deportes on Universo and Peacock. The INDYCAR
Radio Network will provide coverage via SiriusXM channel 160 and the INDYCAR
App powered by NTT DATA.
... notes from
The EDJE
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TAGS: #ThermalClub, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, $1 Million Challenge, Open Test,
2024, Made For TV, The EDJE
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