P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Race format set for IndyCar’s non-points exhibition at Thermal
Located just outside of Palm Springs, California, the event will include a two-day Open Test, group qualifying sessions, two heat races, and a 12-car “all-star” battle for a prize purse of $1.756 million, the largest outside the Indy 500. This non-points event will be the first since 2008 not counting towards the championship. Penske Entertainment Corp. President Mark Miles expressed excitement for this new addition to the NTT IndyCar Series, praising its unique format and record-setting purse. A draw party on March 21 will pair Thermal Club members with teams for immersive engagement, without the prize money sharing between members and drivers. The event will feature heat races last seen in IndyCar in 2013, determining the 12-car field for the ultimate prize based on lap completion during full course yellow conditions.
