Alex Palou dominated the competition and claimed victory in the inaugural IndyCar Thermal $1 Million Challenge. He earned a hefty $500,000 for his impressive performance. The race was held at the exclusive Thermal Club venue and featured a unique format. The grid was split into two heats, each with its own qualifying session to determine the starting order. The heat races took place just before the final event on Sunday, where the $1 million prize was up for grabs.
The final race consisted of 20 laps, with a mandatory break at the halfway mark. During the break, teams had the opportunity to refuel and make adjustments to their wing angles. This format was designed to eliminate the need for fuel-saving strategies in a non-stop race. However, the decision to only allow pressure alterations during the break, rather than tire changes, posed a challenge for the drivers.
Five cars chose to drop to the back of the field and save their tires for the final 10-lap segment. One of the notable drivers adopting this strategy was Colton Herta, who expressed his frustration with it. Despite the setback, Herta managed to make his way up the field, moving from 11th to sixth place in just two laps. However, he was unable to catch up to Palou, who had established a significant lead and ultimately secured the victory.
Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, gave Chip Ganassi Racing a reason to celebrate with his win. The team had a strong presence in the final race, with three cars in the top 12. Palou, who is currently facing a lawsuit from McLaren, joked that he would use his prize money to buy diapers. Ganassi praised Palou’s performance, stating that he didn’t even break a sweat during the race.
Other drivers also walked away with substantial winnings. Scott McLaughlin earned $350,000 for finishing in second place, while Felix Rosenqvist took home $250,000 for his third-place finish. Colton Herta and Marcus Armstrong received $100,000 and $50,000 respectively for their performances.
The race was not without its share of incidents. Romain Grosjean and Rinus VeeKay were taken out in a collision caused by Scott Dixon’s aggressive driving. Grosjean expressed his frustration with the incident and questioned who would be responsible for the damages to his car. Despite the setbacks, the race provided an exciting spectacle for fans and showcased the talent and skill of the IndyCar drivers.