Blomqvist will use the seat time to prepare for his 2024 campaign. Photo: IndyCar
Meyer Shank Racing has announced that Tom Blomqvist will get the start in the #60 for the final two races of the 2023 IndyCar season.
The IMSA star has already been confirmed to be racing full time with the team next season, and the two outings at Portland and Laguna Seca will give him more preparation time ahead of that campaign.
Blomqvist has competed in one IndyCar race earlier this season, stepping into the #60 for a challenging weekend in Toronto and improving considerably throughout the weekend.
He did not gain as much experience as he had hoped, however, as a first lap crash took him out before he had a chance to really get a feel for racing against others.
He has since spent time on the simulator and had time to digest what he learned over his previous race weekend, and will be more prepared to take on the two natural terrain road courses in the coming weeks.
“Obviously the circumstances are quite tricky with Simon’s recovery and the whole situation surrounding the #60 car,” said Blomqvist in the release. “I know the whole team and myself included are thinking about him as he recovers.
“I’ve got to thank Jim [Meyer] and Mike [Shank] for getting me in the car and looking ahead now to next season having been confirmed to drive with MSR next year. It’s a good thing to be getting these races under my belt before the season and working in preparation for my full program in 2024.
“I got a brief test in Toronto under very challenging circumstances – without any real preparation whatsoever. Now I’ve got a little bit more understanding and knowledge and I’m hoping it’s going to be easier this time.
“Hopefully I can do Mike and Jim proud and make progress with every session. Hopefully after these next two events I can be happy and put in some strong performances and go into winter break with more knowledge on the series and be able to build on this.”
Multiple drivers have filled in for Pagenaud in the #60, including Blomqvist, Daly, and Lundqvist. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
The news comes as a confirmation that Pagenaud is not yet fit to get back behind the wheel following his crash at Mid-Ohio in early July.
The veteran tumbled violently through the gravel and has been experiencing concussion-like symptoms since then.
Multiple drivers have taken over driving duties for the recent races, including the reigning Indy NXT champion Linus Lundqvist for the past three rounds.
Blomqvist was originally scheduled to take part in the WEC event from Fuji on a date that clashes with Laguna Seca, but was recently removed from that entry list ahead of his IndyCar announcement.
The Swede will set his first laps around Portland in just four days’ time, ahead of this Sunday’s race.
Keyword: Blomqvist to fill in for Pagenaud for final two IndyCar races