P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Palou takes dominant IndyCar win in Thermal Million Dollar Challenge
Reigning and two-time IndyCar Series champion Palou won the non-points exhibition event by a 5.7929s margin over Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin at the 3.067-mile road course. Palou dominated from pole position in his heat races and in the final. Meyer Shank Racing’s Rosenqvist took third, while Andretti Global’s Herta charged from ninth to finish fourth. Palou led McLaughlin, Rosenqvist, and Armstrong in the decisive segment, while Rossi faced multiple contacts and finished seventh. Rahal’s throttle issues led to an early retirement, and Fittipaldi was disqualified for not following fueling rules. Lundgaard’s emergency service meant starting at the back for the second half of the event.
