Linus Lundqvist will make his IndyCar driving debut this weekend at the Music City Grand Prix, driving the #60 entry for Meyer Shank Racing.
The 24-year-old will get his first opportunity in the premiere series on account of Simon Pagenaud continuing recovery efforts from his high speed tumble through the gravel at the beginning of July.
Lundqvist is the 2022 Indy NXT champion, but has had trouble securing a spot in IndyCar so far this year. He has been in the paddock acting in an advisory role while he continued to search for a ride.
This opportunity will place him behind the wheel of an IndyCar during a race weekend for the first time, and will do so on one of the most treacherous tracks on the calendar.
“This is a moment I’ve been dreaming of literally since the start of my career,” said Lundqvist in the announcement.
“I could not be more excited about the prospect of finally making my NTT IndyCar Seris debut; I am extremely grateful to Meyer Shank Racing for this opportunity.
“This will be an incredible experience, but also the toughest challenge of my life. 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 [Castroneves] – 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 has completed two IndyCar tests this year, making runs at Texas Motor Speedway and Sebring.
The Sebring outing in particular will have given the young driver a taste of the kind of track he can expect this weekend around the bumpy streets of Nashville.
The first time Lundqvist will be on track will be Friday afternoon for the first practice session around the 2.17-mile course, which runs next to the Titans football stadium and over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge.
