INDYCAR 2025: The Thermal Club Grand Prix Preview

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES adds a new track to its 2025 season with the Thermal Club Grand Prix, which will take place from March 21 to 23 in California. This event marks the official scoring debut of this exclusive private circuit, which is 3.067 miles (4.936 km) long, features 17 turns, and is run in a counterclockwise direction.

Palou Leads the List of Favorites After His Victory in the Exhibition

Although this is the first official race at this track, INDYCAR drivers already competed here in early 2024 during the exhibition "The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge". On that occasion, Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) claimed victory ahead of Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) and Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing), positioning him as the favorite for this weekend.

Technical Specifications for the Race

The competition will consist of 65 laps to complete 199.36 miles (320.84 km). The cars will have a total of 150 seconds of push-to-pass, with a maximum of 15 seconds per activation.

Regarding tires, Firestone will provide six sets of primary compound tires and four sets of alternate compound tires for the entire weekend. Teams with rookie drivers will be allowed an additional set of primary tires. During the race, each participant must use at least one set of primary tires and one new set of alternate tires for a minimum of two laps.

Broadcast Times by Country

Latin America

• Mexico: Sunday 13:00 - Broadcast on Disney+ Premium
• Colombia/Peru/Ecuador/Panama: Sunday 14:00 - Broadcast on Disney+ Premium
• Venezuela/Bolivia/Puerto Rico: Sunday 15:00 - Broadcast on Disney+ Premium
• Argentina/Chile/Uruguay/Paraguay: Sunday 16:00 - Broadcast on Disney+ Premium

United States

• Pacific (PT): Sunday 12:17 - Broadcast on FOX
• Eastern (ET): Sunday 3:17 - Broadcast on FOX

Spain

• Mainland: Sunday 20:00 - Movistar Deportes

Chip Ganassi Racing Aims for Its Third Consecutive Inaugural Victory

The Thermal Club becomes the third new circuit added to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar since 2021. Chip Ganassi Racing drivers won the previous two inaugural races: Marcus Ericsson in Nashville 2021 and Alex Palou in Detroit 2023 when the race moved to a new street circuit. Now the team aims to continue this winning streak in debuts.

First Permanent Circuit of Six in the 2025 Calendar

The Thermal Club Grand Prix kicks off the season of permanent circuits in 2025. The other races on this type of track will be held at Barber Motorsports Park (May 4), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 10), Road America (June 22), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (July 6), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July 27), and Portland International Raceway (August 10).