2022 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Linus Lundqvist will make his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut Aug. 6 in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville, driving the No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing as a substitute for Simon Pagenaud.
Lundqvist’s debut drive with MSR was made necessary Monday after the series’ medical staff did not clear Pagenaud to compete this weekend as the Frenchman continues his recovery from the effects of a dramatic, barrel-rolling crash July 1 in practice at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Lundqvist, 24, from Sweden, will team with full-time MSR driver and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves.
“This is a moment I’ve been dreaming of literally since the start of my career,” Lundqvist said. “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. 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 toward 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 becomes the third driver to compete in the No. 60 since Pagenaud’s injury. Conor Daly took over in The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid and raced for MSR in the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend July 22-23 at Iowa Speedway, while Tom Blomqvist made his series debut with the team July 16 in the Honda Indy Toronto.
In 2022, Lundqvist dominated the INDY NXT by Firestone championship, clinching the title with a race to spare and ending the season with five victories and nine podium finishes. He participated in NTT INDYCAR SERIES tests this year at Sebring International Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.
Lundqvist also won season titles in championship titles in Formula Regional Americas in 2020, BRDC British Formula 3 in 2018 and Formula STCC Nordic in 2016.
Nashville also was the sight of success in INDYCAR’s development series for Lundqvist, who started from the top spot and won the race in 2022.
Lundqvist will drive a car once again featuring sponsorship from the all-new SiriusXM Channel 60, “CARRIE’S COUNTRY,” a specialty channel with music curated by eight-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will be broadcast live at noon (ET) Sunday, Aug. 6 on NBC, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.