One of the most unique and lucrative events in recent INDYCAR history takes place this weekend with The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge in Southern California. Not since the Marlboro Challenge in 1992 has the sport put on a special non-points exhibition race with such a massive purse on the line.

The made-for-TV showcase gets underway Friday with two days of crucial open testing around the 3.067-mile, 17-turn Twin Palms layout at the private Thermal Club facility near Palm Springs. The undulating circuit features sweeping corners, tight hairpins, long straights and significant elevation changes, providing a proper test for the 27 drivers and teams.

Saturday sees single-car qualifying to determine the starting lineups for Sunday’s heat race splits. The field will be divided into two 10-lap heat races, with the top six finishers in each advancing to the 20-lap, $1 million main event in the afternoon.

A massive $1.756 million purse is up for grabs, with $500,000 going to the winner alone. Second place pays $350,000, with $250,000 for third, $100,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth. It’s easily the richest INDYCAR prize money outside of the Indianapolis 500.

“We’re dealing with some of the greatest race car drivers in the world. They’re going for a whole bunch of money, so they’ll certainly get it all figured out,” said INDYCAR President Jay Frye about the prospect of ample passing opportunities on the unfamiliar circuit.

While drivers have some prior testing experience at The Thermal Club from early 2022, much has changed in the driver/team lineups since then. Series champions like Marcus Ericsson, Alex Palou and Will Power are with new teams this season, adding intrigue.

Seven drivers, including rookie standouts Nolan Siegel and Kyffin Simpson, will get their first laps around the challenging road course during Friday’s two test sessions totaling 5 hours of track time.

With prototypes required to run alternative driver lineups for the heat races compared to the final stages of qualifying, pit stop strategy during the mid-race break could make or break a team’s fortunes.

Drivers and teams hungry for an early-season prize and momentum will have the opportunity to make a statement this weekend in what promises to be a can’t-miss event at The Thermal Club’s $1 Million Challenge.