The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge. March 22 -24.

[joeb]

Palou checked out and has 5 seconds on Armstrong, but then he has 11 seconds on Rahal in 3rd!

[joeb]

I don't know how these tires will last 20 laps in the final race. Looked like a lot of people were struggling by the end of 10.

[joeb]

here we go 1st half is about to start!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Not such a good start for Rosenqvist, down to 3rd.

[JoeW04]

I hope Colton wins just to prove how daft this format is.

[joeb]

Love Herta going all the slow to save tires in this first half

[joeb]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

I hope Colton wins just to prove how daft this format is.

I like this strategy but I wonder if Herta could make all the needed passes even with fresher tires.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

I hope Colton wins just to prove how daft this format is.

What would you change about the format?

[JoeW04]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

What would you change about the format?

Something that doesn’t allow this extreme tyre saving.

[v8supes]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

What would you change about the format?

God knows how you change the tyre saving issue other than giving everyone a new set for the last 10 laps then people would try & gain positions in the first part of the final.

Only thing id change is the restarts. Move to double file for the event.


I feel like this event would be much better with crowds, music, some kinda atmosphere. I’m genuinely really surprised by how little “show” there has been.

[joeb]

Well after RLL making all 3 of their cars to the main event, 2 of them won't be starting the 2nd half. Rahal has a mechanical issue and Fitti was dq'd for not following indycar orders

[joeb]

Herta could end up on podium but it looks like Palou is just in another league.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by joeb

Herta could end up on podium but it looks like Palou is just in another league.

He was top of both test sessions on Friday.

[broadrun96]

Just catching up, Colton screwed up everyone there at the start getting out of line and drew Dixie wide and his attention. Was awkward at best, stupid at worst

DCR looks like they are doing a Brawn throwback inspired livery on Siegel's car

Was surprised they actually went the full heat without a commercial but the caution helped I guess.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Congrats to Alex Palou, dominated the weekend and is $1m richer for his efforts.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Congrats to Alex Palou, dominated the weekend and is $1m richer for his efforts.

He is going for the 3 peat this year. Just dominant.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

What would you change about the format?

A tyre change rather than refuel during “half time” but this from a very limited number of tyre sets for qualification, heat race and final

Need to tidy up the end of the first section there was no flag to indicate end of that section.

Field takes a yellow on completing Lap 10, slowing up by T3 and return to the pits at a set speed.

[broadrun96]

Heat 2 Blomqvist driving like he's in a tin top, terrible lines through corners and treated like the cheating nut job he was driving like by Rossi and OWard. Neither will forget that this season so he's already on the back foot

Kiffin not looking too bad in the car

Track needs more elevation badly, interesting but like Utah minimal change looks dull. The hump on the back is only character change

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by joeb

He is going for the 3 peat this year. Just dominant.

Absolutely and there is also the 500.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

I hope Colton wins just to prove how daft this format is.

More like how daft the Herta and Andretti "strategy" calls are, when was the last time they actually worked. Oh, that's right it's RARE as hen's teeth lately. MSR has been better with off strategy calls and they've run out of fuel multiple times.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by v8supes

God knows how you change the tyre saving issue other than giving everyone a new set for the last 10 laps then people would try & gain positions in the first part of the final.

Only thing id change is the restarts. Move to double file for the event.


I feel like this event would be much better with crowds, music, some kinda atmosphere. I’m genuinely really surprised by how little “show” there has been.

Cause that's literally NOT what the owners wanted, they wanted a very very very restricted event and then only later realized that wasn't gonna work. Hence the Million Dollar name but not actually gonna get a million bucks even though half was going to an owner not the driver.

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Congrats to Alex Palou, dominated the weekend and is $1m richer for his efforts.

Not unless some spotted him 500k, the race only pays out 500k to the driver. The name was ALWAYS bull excrement, 500k to driver, 500k to owner who was associated with the driver.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Not unless some spotted him 500k, the race only pays out 500k to the driver. The name was ALWAYS bull excrement, 500k to driver, 500k to owner who was associated with the driver.

Oh well, you can't have everything. 500k it is.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Result for the $1 Million Challenge

I felt somewhat underwhelmed by the $1 Million Challenge. IndyCar needs to sort out a few things regarding the format, like the half-time break and especially the tyre situation.

There's just under a month to go before Long Beach. It's a slow start to the season.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Marshall Pruett's article has some ideas on how to improve The Thermal $1m, if it were to happen again.


https://racer.com/2024/03/24/gimmick...al-club-redux/

[flatlandsman]

I am not over keen on having massive wealth shoved down my throat at a place like this, i saw the entry requirements for fans, no coolers, I mean what the hell is this!

It is basically like an exclusive golf club buying a series with an event, that means nothing apart from money

At least with f1 they buy a race for their money not a gimmick. it is very erm American.

And the format did not really work did it.