Lundqvist impressed during his debut outings with Meyer Shank Racing in recent weeks. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
Chip Ganassi Racing has announced that it has brought Linus Lundqvist into the team for the 2024 IndyCar season.
The 2022 Indy NXT champion was signed to a multi-year contract with the team, with the news coming shortly after it was announced that Marcus Ericsson was leaving to go to Andretti Autosport next year.
“Joining Chip Ganassi Racing is an absolute dream come true for me,” said Lundqvist.
“Stepping up to race full-time in the NTT IndyCar Series, and to do so with one of the most successful teams in the history of the championship, is the moment I’ve been working for throughout my career.
“It is hard to explain how much this means to me. I am incredibly grateful to Chip [Ganassi], Mike [Hull] and to everyone who has backed me on this journey, including of course my family.
“I have dipped my toes into IndyCar racing in recent weeks, which will give me a little bit of a head start going into 2024. Coming up through Indy NXT has provided me with some important experience that will help me get up to speed.
“Having said that, this is an entirely new challenge as I prepare to join an established top team at the highest level of the sport. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but having a team like Chip Ganassi Racing put their trust in me is the greatest motivator I could ever have.
“I intend to do everything in my power to grab this opportunity and I look forward to all the moments ahead, next year and beyond.”
Lundqvist struggled to find a ride for much of this season, but joined Meyer Shank Racing to help fill in for a recovering Simon Pagenaud for three races.
The Swede earned a 12th-place finish on the Indianapolis road course, and logged the fastest lap of the race for both Nashville and the short oval of World Wide Technology Raceway.
His strong performances with little prior experience were mentioned in Ganassi’s announcement, and were seemingly part of the reason the team has signed him to a contract.
“It’s terrific that the opportunity to hire Linus, a proven winner, plus the reigning 2022 Indy NXT Champion is now a reality at Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull.
“He has shown that his on-track performance creates the racecraft separation that’s required in IndyCar today. Growing together with Linus is what comes next.”
Lundqvist will be embedded in the Ganassi team starting this weekend at Portland Raceway, and throughout the rest of the season.
Keyword: Ganassi signs Lundqvist to multi-year IndyCar deal