The 2024 $1 Million Challenge was a non-championship round held as part of the 2024 IndyCar Series. The race was held on March 24, 2024 at the Thermal Club private race resort in Thermal, California. The feature race consisted of 20 laps and was won by Álex Palou.[1]
It was the seventh American championship open-wheel racing event in Riverside County, the first since the 1983 Budweiser 500K, held in the Edgemont area of Riverside County, about 75 miles northwest of the Coachella Valley where the Thermal Club is located.
Qualifying started at 5:00 PM PT on March 23, 2024. The 27 entries were divided into two groups determined by a random draw, with each group competing in separate heat races.[3][4] Drivers were permitted to use up to 40 seconds of push-to-pass, marking the first time competitors have been allowed to use PTP during an IndyCar qualifying session.[5]
The event started at 9:15 am PT on March 24, 2024.
Each heat race was 10 laps or 20 minutes. The top six finishers from each heat advanced to the All-Star Race. The faster of the two heat winners in qualifying earned pole for the feature race, and determined grid positioning. The feature race was 20 laps, with a half-time break at lap 10.[3]
