Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Marcus Armstrong and Linus Lundqvist along with Tom Blomqvist of Meyer Shank Racing each completed the Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) on Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and became eligible to participate in the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge next May.
The trio wasted little time completing the three-phase test, each finishing before the lunch break at noon. Lundqvist wrapped up the test first in the No. 8 Honda, followed by Blomqvist in the No. 60 Honda a few minutes later and Armstrong in the No. 11 Honda just as the clock struck noon.
“I’ve enjoyed it a whole lot more than I expected,” Armstrong said. “I’m not saying I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but I think the intensity of it is pretty special and watching (in-car) onboards and on TV is one thing, but actually feeling how the car moves and how the wind affects you and the tiny details of this place – and Texas – has kind of given me so much enjoyment.”
ROP consists of three speed phases, gradually introducing first-year “500” drivers to the high speeds and unique nature of the rectangular, low-banked 2.5-mile oval. Drivers must start with 10 laps between 205-210 mph, following with 15 laps at 210-215 and finishing with 15 laps faster than 215 mph.
The three drivers also turned laps in the afternoon after passing ROP, getting even more familiar and comfortable with the historic oval and the high speeds. Blomqvist ended up fastest overall at 220.176 mph, followed by Lundqvist at 219.504 and Armstrong at 219.252. They combined to turn 285 laps.
It should come as little surprise that Armstrong, Blomqvist and Lundqvist completed the rookie test with speedy aplomb due to their familiarity with the cars.
While Armstrong and Blomqvist hope to make their NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval debuts in May at the “500,” Armstrong competed in 12 road- and street-course events in 2023 en route to series Rookie of the Year honors, and Blomqvist made three road-and-street starts as a substitute this season. 2022 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Lundqvist also was a super sub in 2023, competing in three races, including his series oval debut at World Wide Technology Raceway.
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