2024 $1 Million Challenge
The 2024 $1 Million Challenge was a non-championship round held as part of the 2024 IndyCar Series. The race was held on March 24, 2024 at The Thermal Club private race resort in Thermal, California. The feature race consisted of 20 laps and was won by Álex Palou.[1] It was the sixth American championship open-wheel racing event in Riverside County, the first since the 1983 Budweiser 500km.
Entry list
| Key | Meaning |
|---|---|
| R | Rookie |
| W | Past winner |
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Qualifying
Qualifying started at 5:00 PM PT on March 23, 2024. The 27 entries were divided into two groups determined by a random draw, with each group competing in separate heat races.[3][4] Drivers were permitted to use up to 40 seconds of push-to-pass, marking the first time competitors have been allowed to use PTP during an IndyCar quali session.[5]
Heat 1 Qualifying
- Group 1[4]
- Notes
- Bold text indicates fastest time set in session.
Heat 2 Qualifying
- Group 2[4]
- Notes
- Bold text indicates fastest time set in session.
Results
The event started at 9:15 am PT on March 24, 2024. Each heat race was 10 laps or 20 minutes. The top six finishers from each heat advanced to the All-Star Race. The faster of the two heat winners in qualifying earned pole for the feature race, and determined grid positioning. The feature race was 20 laps, with a half-time break at lap 10.[3]
Heat 1
Heat 2
All-Star Race
Footnotes
- ↑ Pole position for the main race was determined by the fastest qualifying time of the two heat winners.
References
- ↑ Gintz, Alex (March 24, 2024). "Alex Palou Maintains Control, Wins at Thermal Club". Frontstretch. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ↑ Barnes, Joey (March 22, 2024). "IndyCar Thermal Club: Staft Times, How To Watch On TV, Entry List & More". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapman, Simon. "ULTIMATE GUIDE: Why IndyCar's $1 Million Challenge race has so much intrigue attached". Nine's Wide World of Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Qualification Groups" (PDF). indycar.com. March 22, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ↑ Pruett, Marshall (March 14, 2024). "IndyCar sets Thermal race format". RACER. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Qualifications - Group 1" (PDF). indycar.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Qualifications - Group 2" (PDF). indycar.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Official Final Results Heat Race 1" (PDF). Indy Racing Information System. 24 March 2024.
- ↑ "Official Final Results Heat Race 2" (PDF). Indy Racing Information System. 24 March 2024.
- ↑ "Official Final Results All-Star Race" (PDF). Indy Racing Information System. 24 March 2024.