The 2025 Thermal Club Grand Prix: A Race of Highs and Lows

The 2025 Thermal Club Grand Prix, the second race of the NTT IndyCar Championship, was an event filled with excitement and unforeseen challenges. The 65-lap race saw Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou take the checkered flag, followed by Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard securing a podium finish. However, the race was also marked by a significant disruption: an abrupt power outage that interrupted the official IndyCar feed on FOX.

Mark Miles Voices Disappointment

Days after the transmission blackout, IndyCar and Penske Entertainment’s CEO, Mark Miles, addressed the situation, expressing disappointment in the broadcasters and reflecting on the championship’s potential return to the Thermal Club circuit.

This wasn’t IndyCar’s first experience at the Thermal Club. In 2023, the venue hosted a test race, followed by an exhibition race in 2024. The 2025 Grand Prix marked IndyCar’s official arrival to the course as part of the championship.

Weighing the Future of IndyCar at the Thermal Club

Speaking to Racer.com, Miles acknowledged that the venue exceeded expectations and praised the organizers for taking care of the paddock. However, he didn’t shy away from expressing his disappointment regarding the signal loss, which resulted in a significant loss of audience.

Miles stated: “We didn’t love the audience numbers that we got. And we certainly were disappointed with losing the [FOX broadcast] signal for the time that we did, so that sucks on us, but they’re good hosts. It is, to say the least, different to have a race where we’ve got 3000-ish fans there to watch the race. And so that’s something that either wears well over time or doesn’t. It’s one of the reasons that we’re still thinking about what the optimal use of Thermal is for the future.”

Despite the challenges, Miles emphasized IndyCar’s commitment to maintaining a relationship with The Thermal Club and its leader, Tim Rogers. He suggested the possibility of future collaborations, stating, “We again, we value relationship with [Thermal leader] Tim Rogers and his team and that place. We would love to find some way to continue.”

IndyCar Analyst Reacts to FOX’s Coverage Loss

The transmission signal loss on March 23 left many IndyCar viewers disappointed, causing a 40-minute disruption. The issue was later attributed to a circuit breaker failure in the TV compound.

IndyCar analyst James Hinchcliffe shared his surprise on the “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi” show on YouTube, recounting the moment the screens went black in the booth during the race.

Looking Ahead

The next race on the IndyCar calendar is the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, scheduled for Sunday, April 13. As IndyCar reflects on the Thermal Club Grand Prix, the series will focus on ensuring a seamless broadcast experience for fans and building strong partnerships with venues and broadcasters alike.