Larson, Armstrong, Lundqvist, Blomqvist confirmed for IMS rookie test

IndyCar’s post-season Rookie Orientation Program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will play host to four drivers next week during the October 11-13 window set aside by the series on the 2.5-mile oval.

Wednesday, the opening day of the test, is designated for ROP running with Arrow McLaren’s Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Armstrong and Linus Lundqvist, and Meyer Shank Racing’s Tom Blomqvist scheduled to get their first tastes of the world-famous oval in NTT IndyCar Series machinery.

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The last two days of the test are reserved for the first tests of IndyCar’s new-for-2024 hybrid engine and energy recovery systems on the big oval with Chevrolet and Honda using Dallara DW12s run by their chosen teams.

RACER has learned that Larson, whose calendar is already busy, might need to run on Thursday the 12th if scheduling becomes a problem.

The only other confirmed rookie, Ganassi’s Kyffin Simpson, will not be in action next week as he would need to complete his first IndyCar oval test at a venue somewhere other than IMS before being allowed to join ROP running at Indy. Larson, whose first IndyCar test of any kind will happen at Indy, is not being required by the series to follow the same protocol due to the NASCAR Cup champion’s extensive oval experience.

“It’s a big day next week and I’m really excited, but there’s also some nerves in there, and I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t,” MSR’s Blomqvist told RACER. “I'm fortunate that I got that run done at Texas after Laguna [Seca] because up until that point, I had no experience whatsoever on an oval. Like, none. I had no idea what to expect. And I must admit that I was probably the most nervous I've been on a test day, and it’s been donkey's years since I felt that way.

“But I'm pretty, relatively speaking, relaxed about going to Indy and I’m excited about this whole new challenge. I remember growing up watching [MSR teammate] Helio [Castroneves] climb the fence when I was eight years old, and it's pretty wild to say that I'm going to have that opportunity to drive on the same track next week.”

Born in England but largely raised in New Zealand, Blomqvist has been a keen follower of Kiwi Scott Dixon's exploits in IndyCar, which include the 2008 Indy 500 win alongside his six championships.

“There's all that history, and being a kid in New Zealand, growing up in the karting scene and with Scott Dixon doing so well, that race has played a bit of a big part in my racing upbringing,” Blomqvist said.

“So it's full focus on next year, and ROP is just a small step, but it's all part of the learning process. And I’ve got to look at it as another valuable day of testing in a series that so damn competitive. We’ve got to use this day wisely, and I’m really pumped to get going.”