IndyCar steps outside the box with $1 million exhibition race at members-only Thermal Club

Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden, of the United States, leads coming out of Turn 12 during the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg auto race, Sunday March 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Pole sitter Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden #2 of United States leads the pack into turn 2 after the start of the IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg auto race, Sunday March 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

It was supposed to pay out $1 million to be split with the race winner and a Thermal Club member, but the payout structure fell apart and the winner will now only receive $500,000. “I think it’s exciting to do it. IndyCar stepping outside the square, trying something different, hasn’t happened much in the past. To be a part of that is exciting.”

The track located near Coachella and outside of Palm Springs is typically used for members to tool around with their extensive collection of luxury cars. Membership to Thermal requires the purchase of property inside the club, and a standard membership starts at $85,000. “I think ultimately it just came down to we’ve got a lot of amateur racers out here, not a lot of professional racers. I think people just weren’t quite certain that they were at the level required to compete as would be expected for that kind of prize money,” Cusick said. “We’re kind of talking through that as members and as a club. We’ll see where that leads.

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