Linus Lundqvist is set to make his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut this weekend, competing for Meyer Shank Racing in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville…
Linus Lundqvist is set to make his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut this weekend, competing for Meyer Shank Racing in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
The 2022 INDY NXT champion will drive the #60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda normally occupied by Simon Pagenaud, who continues to recover from a practice accident at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course earlier this month. 24-year-old Lundqvist will slot in alongside four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves in the Meyer Shank Racing line-up.
“This is a moment I’ve been dreaming of literally since the start of my career,” says Linus Lundqvist. “I could not be more excited about the prospect of finally making my NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut; I am extremely grateful to Meyer Shank Racing for this opportunity.”
Lundqvist arrives in INDYCAR with a gold-clad CV in junior-level competition, racking up championship titles in INDY NXT (then known as Indy Lights) in 2022, Formula Regional Americas in 2020, BRDC British Formula 3 in 2018, and Formula STCC Nordic in 2016.
Lundqvist has been largely out of racing so far in 2023, but has conducted two INDYCAR tests at Texas Motor Speedway and Sebring International Raceway. Now, his long-awaited debut in the top tier of American single-seater racing finally comes in round 13 of the 17-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign.
It will do so at a track – the 2.17-mile Nashville street course – where the Swede swept last year’s INDY NXT weekend with victory from pole position.
“This will be an incredible experience, but also the toughest challenge of my life,” Linus Lundqvist continues. “Sitting on the sidelines all year, it would be a massive task to join any championship towards the end of the season – let alone the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on the streets of Nashville.
“There’s been very little time to prepare, but I feel like the sheer excitement of this moment will make up for some of that. Of course, working alongside Helio – one of the true legends of this sport – will also be a huge asset.
“Last but not least, I would like to wish Simon Pagenaud a continued speedy recovery. While fully aware of everything I have to learn this weekend, I will do my very best to make him and everyone else on the team proud in Music City.”
Lundqvist will hit the track for the first time on Friday in the opening practice session for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Qualifying takes place on Saturday, with 80 laps of high-precision racing then set to play out around the demanding street course on Sunday.
