2024 IndyCar Series
2024 IndyCar season | |
---|---|
NTT IndyCar Series | |
Season | |
Races | 18 |
Start date | March 10 |
End date | September 15 |
Awards | |
The 2024 NTT IndyCar Series is the 113th official championship season of American open wheel racing and the 29th season under IndyCar Series sanction. Its showcase event will be the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Spanish driver Álex Palou entered the season as the defending champion, having obtained his second IndyCar title in 2023, while Josef Newgarden entered the season as the defending Indianapolis 500 winner.
Background and series news[edit]
The 2.2-liter engines used in the series are scheduled to have hybrid technology implemented after the original plans to debut a new 2.4-liter hybrid engine formula were scrapped.[1] The original plan was to introduce the hybrid powertrain at the start of the season in St. Petersburg, but on December 7, 2023, IndyCar announced a delay to its introduction, until after the Indianapolis 500.[2]
This is also the final year of IndyCar's current television contract with NBC Sports, which began in 2019 and was extended in 2021.[3][4]
Confirmed entries[edit]
The following teams, entries, and drivers compete in the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series season. All teams use a spec Dallara IR18 chassis with universal aero kit and Firestone tires.
Driver changes[edit]
Preseason[edit]
- On January 12, 2023, Arrow McLaren confirmed reports that 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson would drive for the team in the Indianapolis 500, with the entry to be co-owned by Larson's Cup Series car owner Rick Hendrick.[19]
- On August 11, 2023, Meyer Shank Racing confirmed reports that its IMSA driver Tom Blomqvist would drive for its No. 66 entry full-time in 2024, with 4-time Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves moving to an Indy-only role for the team, as well as receiving an ownership stake in the team.[34]
- On August 23, 2023, Andretti Autosport confirmed reports that 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson would join the team, departing Chip Ganassi Racing after four seasons, replacing Romain Grosjean. Ganassi stated on social media the same day that it would announce driver updates "in due course".[12] On August 31, 2023, Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed reports that 2022 Indy Lights champion Linus Lundqvist would join the team on a full-time basis, ultimately replacing Ericsson in the No. 8 car.[22][23]
- On September 2, 2023, NBC Sports reported that Romain Grosjean told them that he would be departing Andretti Autosport after two seasons with the team.[44]
- On October 4, 2023, Grosjean released a statement confirming his departure from Andretti, and that he has commenced an arbitration proceeding in Indiana against the team, saying that he had expected to continue racing with the team "in the coming years."[45]
- On September 5, 2023, Meyer Shank Racing confirmed reports that Felix Rosenqvist had signed to drive the No. 60 entry in a multi-year deal. Rosenqvist departed Arrow McLaren after three seasons.[35]
- On September 5, 2023, 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2016 IndyCar Series champion Simon Pagenaud released a statement confirming his departure from Meyer Shank Racing after two seasons, saying that he would be focusing on his recovery from injuries sustained in a crash during practice at Mid-Ohio in 2023.[46]
- On September 7, 2023, Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed reports that Marcus Armstrong had re-signed with the team on a full-time basis with a multi-year contract, having served as road/street course driver alongside Takuma Sato in 2023.[25]
- On September 8, 2023, Arrow McLaren confirmed reports that David Malukas had signed to drive the No. 6 entry full-time in 2024, departing Dale Coyne Racing after two seasons.[17]
- On September 18, 2023, Chip Ganassi Racing announced that development driver Kyffin Simpson would join the team full time in 2024, expanding the team to 5 cars.[20]
- On October 23, 2023, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announced that Haas F1 Team reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi would drive the team's No. 30 entry full-time in 2024, making his first start in the series since the 2021 season. The same day, RLL confirmed that Jüri Vips, who drove the No. 30 entry in the final two races of 2023, would remain under contract with the team, with the possibility of part-time competition in a fourth entry, testing duties and opportunities in IMSA competition.[38][47]
- On October 25, 2023, Ed Carpenter Racing announced that 2023 Indy NXT champion Christian Rasmussen would drive the team's No. 20 entry on road and street courses in 2024, and in a third entry at the Indianapolis 500. Team owner/driver Ed Carpenter will compete in all oval races in the No. 20, having driven for the team's third entry for the last two seasons.[30]
- On October 26, 2023, Juncos Hollinger Racing announced that they had mutually decided to part ways with driver Callum Ilott after three seasons together.[48] On November 2, 2023, Juncos confirmed that Romain Grosjean signed for the team, replacing the outgoing Ilott.[32]
- On December 15, 2023, A. J. Foyt Racing announced that Sting Ray Robb would drive the No. 41 entry full-time for the 2024 season, leaving Dale Coyne Racing after one season. Initial reports covering the announcement stated that Robb was to replace Benjamin Pedersen, with the entry being renumbered to 41 from the 55 which Pedersen drove in 2023.[8] However, later that day, Pedersen released a statement on social media implying that he had not left the team and that Robb would be joining as his teammate, with team director Larry Foyt being non-committal when directly asked if Robb was replacing Pedersen during a teleconference with media.[49] On January 9, 2024, Larry Foyt confirmed that Pedersen was departing the team as his contract had "lapsed".[50]
- On February 1, 2024, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing / Cusick Motorsports confirmed plans to field a joint entry for the Indianapolis 500, with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Conor Daly serving as drivers of the No. 23 and No. 24 cars, respectively.[28]
- On February 13, 2024, David Malukas confirmed that he had injured his wrist while mountain biking and would miss the first race of the season to recover.[51] Callum Ilott was announced as his replacement on March 5.[16]
- On February 15, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announced that Takuma Sato would return to the team to compete in the Indianapolis 500.[40]
- On March 5, Dale Coyne Racing announced that Jack Harvey would drive the No. 18 entry in 14 races this year, with 2023 Indy NXT rookie of the year Nolan Siegel partaking in events that do not clash with his Indy NXT commitments, including the Indianapolis 500. Coyne also confirmed sports car and former NASCAR driver Colin Braun would drive the No. 51 in at least the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the non-championship event at The Thermal Club.[27]
Team changes[edit]
Preseason[edit]
- On September 5, 2023, Andretti Autosport announced a rebrand that would take effect for the 2024 season, with all of its race teams running under the Andretti Global banner.[52]
- On October 3, 2023, Arrow McLaren and Juncos Hollinger Racing announced the formation of a strategic alliance that "may evolve over time," beginning with a "commercial and strategic focus" and "talent development opportunity."[32]
- On November 10, 2023, Andretti Global confirmed that they would reduce to three entries from four for the 2024 season.[53]
Schedule[edit]
The schedule was released on September 25, 2023.[54]
NOTE: Race names are preliminary and subject to change.
O Oval/Speedway
R Road/Street course
NC Non-championship race
Schedule changes[edit]
- On August 3, IndyCar announced that the Music City Grand Prix would host the season finale from 2024 onwards. The 2024 race was scheduled to feature a new layout running through Broadway in Downtown Nashville, but still featuring the Korean War Memorial Bridge.[60] Laguna Seca's date was moved to June to accommodate this. On February 14, 2024 – and due to anticipated construction beginning on the New Nissan Stadium which would interfere with the circuit – the race was moved 30 miles (48 kilometres) east to Nashville Superspeedway in Nashville, Tennessee,[59] for the first IndyCar race at the track since 2008.
- On September 10, it was announced that The Thermal Club would host an exhibition race on March 24, 2024, with the winner earning $1 million. The event will be the first non-point paying event since the 2008 Nikon Indy 300 at Surfers Paradise, and the first American Championship car race in Riverside County, California since 1983.[56]
- On September 25, IndyCar released the 2024 schedule. The Texas race, which had been a feature of the schedule from the 1996–97 season, will not return in 2024. Besides Texas, the Gallagher Grand Prix will not return in 2024, ending the joint IndyCar–NASCAR weekend (where both series raced at the same venue on the same weekend) established in 2020. Both races were replaced by the Milwaukee Mile Doubleheader.[61] Night races will also be reintroduced for Gateway and the Saturday Iowa race.[54]
Results[edit]
Rd. | Race | Pole position | Fastest lap | Most laps led | Race winner | Report | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Driver | Team | Manufacturer | ||||||
1 | St. Petersburg | Josef Newgarden | Josef Newgarden | Josef Newgarden | Josef Newgarden | Team Penske | Chevrolet | Report |
NC | Thermal Club | Álex Palou[N 4] | Álex Palou | Álex Palou | Álex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | Report |
2 | Long Beach | Report | ||||||
3 | Birmingham | Report | ||||||
4 | IMS GP | Report | ||||||
5 | Indianapolis 500 | Report | ||||||
6 | Detroit | Report | ||||||
7 | Road America | Report | ||||||
8 | Laguna Seca | Report | ||||||
9 | Mid-Ohio | Report | ||||||
10 | Iowa 1 | Report | ||||||
11 | Iowa 2 | |||||||
12 | Toronto | Report | ||||||
13 | Gateway | Report | ||||||
14 | Portland | Report | ||||||
15 | Milwaukee 1 | Report | ||||||
16 | Milwaukee 2 | |||||||
17 | Nashville | Report |
Points standings[edit]
- Ties are broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc.; then by finishing position in the previous race; then by random draw.[63]
Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Points | 50 | 40 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Driver standings[edit]
- At all races except the Indy 500, the pole position qualifier earns 1 point (unless qualifying is not held).[64] The twelve Indy 500 qualifiers who qualify for the fast 12 session receive points based on the results of that session, descending from 12 points for first place.[65]
- Drivers who lead at least one race lap are awarded 1 point.[66] The driver who leads the most laps during a race scores an additional 2 points.[66]
- Entrant-initiated engine change-outs before the engine reaches their required distance run result in the loss of 10 points.[67]
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See also[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ^ Technical partnership with Team Penske.
- ^ "Strategic alliance" with Arrow McLaren.
- ^ Technical partnership with Andretti Global.
- ^ Pole position for the "Sprint for the Purse" was determined by the fastest qualifying time of the two heat winners.[62]
References[edit]
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (December 6, 2022). "IndyCar drops plans for new 2.4l engine". Racer.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Martin, Bruce (December 7, 2023). "IndyCar Delays Hybrid Assist Unit Until After 108th Indianapolis 500". Forbes. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ "IndyCar entering new media partner negotiations". RACER. September 13, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "IndyCar still working on next broadcast deal as NBC agreement enters final year". RACER. November 28, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ Dejewski, Kevin (January 11, 2024). "Enerson confirms Indy 500 return with Abel Motorsports". Motorsportweek.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (March 20, 2024). "Enerson working toward Indy 500 return with Abel". RACER.
- ^ Barnes, Joey (January 9, 2024). "Santino Ferrucci back with AJ Foyt Racing for 2024 season". Motorsport.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (December 15, 2023). "Robb moves to Foyt team for 2024". RACER. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (October 25, 2022). "Herta signs 4-year Andretti IndyCar extension through 2027". AP NEWS. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (July 7, 2023). "Andretti Autosport restructuring IndyCar program for 2024". RACER. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (September 26, 2023). "Kirkwood extends deal with Andretti". RACER. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Benyon, Jack (August 23, 2023). "Ericsson to leave Ganassi for IndyCar rival Andretti". The Race. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Barnes, Joey (January 23, 2024). "Marco Andretti set for Indianapolis 500 return in 2024". Motorsport.com.
- ^ "O'Ward signs contract extension with AMSP". racer.com. May 27, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "David Malukas likely to miss St. Pete following surgery on dislocated wrist". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (March 5, 2024). "Ilott to stand in for injured Malukas at St Petersburg". racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (September 8, 2023). "Malukas joins Arrow McLaren for 2024 IndyCar season". RACER. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ "Rossi confirmed for Arrow McLaren SP move in 2023". racer.com. June 2, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ a b Malsher-Lopez, David (January 12, 2023). "Kyle Larson to race for McLaren-Hendrick in 2024 Indy 500". www.autosport.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Chip Ganassi Racing promotes development driver Kyffin Simpson, will run 5 cars in 2024". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Ida (September 19, 2023). "What you should know about IndyCar's new driver and his case for a seat". Formula Scout.
...Simpson added, before confirming that he is set to race under a Cayman Islands licence next year.
- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (August 31, 2023). "Ganassi confirms Lundqvist for 2024 IndyCar season". RACER. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ a b "Lundqvist to drive No. 8 American Legion Honda in 2024". IndyCar.com. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (July 31, 2023). "Ganassi in no rush to lock down 2024 IndyCar drivers". RACER. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c Pruett, Marshall (September 7, 2023). "Armstrong signs multi-year IndyCar deal with Ganassi". RACER. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ Bradley, Charles (September 12, 2023). "IndyCar champ Palou sets sights on 2024 Indy 500, could race #1". Autosport. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Brown, Nathan. "Dale Coyne Racing names Jack Harvey, Nolan Siegel, Colin Braun to 2024 IndyCar lineup". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Hunter-Reay, Daly To Drive For DRR/CUSICK In Indy 500". IndyCar.com. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Rasmussen to Race Partial Schedule for ECR in 2024". IndyCar.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ a b Wood, Ida (October 25, 2023). "Indy Nxt champion Christian Rasmussen gets IndyCar seat with ECR". Formula Scout. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Nathan. "Rinus VeeKay signs new multi-year deal with Ed Carpenter Racing". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Grosjean To Drive for Juncos Hollinger in 2024". www.indycar.come. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "Juncos Hollinger Extends Canapino for 2024 Drive". IndyCar.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c Pruett, Marshall (August 11, 2023). "Blomqvist gets full-time MSR IndyCar drive for 2024 as Castroneves goes Indy 500-only". RACER.
- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (September 5, 2023). "Rosenqvist signs multiyear IndyCar deal with Meyer Shank Racing". Racer.com.
- ^ Barnes, Joey (November 13, 2023). "Rahal signs multi-year deal to remain with Rahal Letterman Lanigan". Autosport. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ alison, markus (October 23, 2023). "Pietro Fittipaldi To Drive The No. 30 Entry For Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing In The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season". Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Benyon, Jack (October 23, 2023). "F1 reserve driver gets full-time IndyCar return for 2024". The Race. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (August 17, 2022). "Lundgaard signs multi-year deal with Rahal Letterman Lanigan". Motorsport.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Barnes, Joey (February 15, 2024). "Sato returning to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for Indy 500". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (September 9, 2022). "New deal for Power next on Penske checklist". RACER. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
"We just did Scotty and we're on a long-term contract with Josef right now," Penske told RACER.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (September 7, 2022). "McLaughlin, Penske sign multi-year contract extension". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
- ^ Martin, Bruce (March 31, 2023). "Power Signs Multi-Year Extension With Team Penske". SPEED SPORT. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Martin, Bruce (September 2, 2023). "Andretti Autosport could downsize to 3 cars in 2024; Romain Grosjean says he won't return". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Benyon, Jack; Khorounzhiy, Valentin (October 4, 2023). "Grosjean taking action against Andretti following IndyCar exit". The Race. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ Newbold, James (September 5, 2023). "Rosenqvist joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2024 IndyCar season, Pagenaud departs". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 23, 2023). "Vips retained by RLL; fourth IndyCar entry possible for 2024". RACER. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "Ilott splits with Juncos Hollinger Racing". RACER. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (December 15, 2023). "Pedersen lays claim to Foyt IndyCar seat after Robb signing". RACER. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Nathan (January 9, 2024). "AJ Foyt Racing splits with Benjamin Pedersen with team saying pair's contract 'lapsed'". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (February 14, 2024). "Malukas out for six weeks following wrist surgery". racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (September 5, 2023). "Andretti Autosport becomes Andretti Global". RACER.
- ^ "Andretti IndyCar line-up set as it shrinks to three cars for 2024". The Race. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b "INDYCAR ANNOUNCES 17-RACE 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES SCHEDULE". IndyCar.com. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "More 2024 IndyCar event dates locked in". Racer.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Khorounzhiy, Valentin. "IndyCar Adds $1Million Non-Points Heat-Format Event For 2024". the-race.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c "IndyCar's 2024 schedule is proving tough to put together. Here's where things stand". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Martin, Bruce (September 25, 2023). "2024 IndyCar Schedule Features Milwaukee Return, Texas Depart". SpeedSport. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ a b "IndyCar moves season finale to Nashville Speedway". racer.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "Nashville To Host NTT INDYCAR SERIES Finale Sept. 13-15, 2024". IndyCar.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ Dejewski, Kevin (September 25, 2023). "The NTT IndyCar Series has released the schedule for the 2024 season, featuring a few drastic changes compared to recent years". motorsportweek.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Paul (March 23, 2024). "Rosenqvist, Palou Capture Poles for Thermal Heat Races". IndyCar Series. IndyCar. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
Palou will start on the pole for the 20-lap Sprint for the Purse – divided into two-lap segments [sic] – if he wins his heat race because he produced the quickest lap of the two qualifying segments.
- ^ Rulebook 2024, Rule 12.4.1..
- ^ Rulebook 2024, Rule 12.6.3.1..
- ^ Rulebook 2024, Rule 12.6.4..
- ^ a b Rulebook 2024, Rule 12.6.2..
- ^ Rulebook 2024, Rule 16.6.2.2..
Sources[edit]
- NTT IndyCar Series Official Rulebook (PDF). IndyCar Series, Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. March 5, 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.