The 2024 IndyCar Calendar is being reshuffled. The race in Nashville will now be the season finale.
As the NTT IndyCar Series rolls into the streets of Nashville for the Music City Grand Prix this weekend, changes were announced for the 2024 race.
The Music City Grand Prix will be moving to the season finale on September 13th-15th 2024. The newly configured 2.17-mile, seven-turn street circuit will continue across the Korean War Veteran’s Memorial Bridge. Additionally, the new route takes the drivers directly past the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame. While also heading down the famous Nashville Broadway.
“Nashville and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix team are ready to host a can’t-miss, action-packed event that transforms the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale and elevates it to an even higher peak on the global stage,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “Next year’s race in Nashville will be an unbridled celebration of the most fierce and competitive motorsport on the planet, set against the backdrop of an innovative and breathtaking stage that includes one of the premier global entertainment districts in the world. We’ll have more to share soon on an entire weekend of activities, both on and off track, that fully taps into the growing reach and relevance of an ascendant and marquee city.”
“The fact that INDYCAR has chosen Nashville and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix as the crowning event is a testament to our fans, partners, stakeholders and truly the Nashville hospitality industry as a whole,” said Matt Crews, CEO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “The ability to promote our city and state year-round and bring our race into the heart of Nashville is an absolute honor. The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix continues to grow to levels that I never dreamed could have been possible.”
Music City Chaos
The Music City Grand Prix has been on the IndyCar calendar since the 2021 season. Marcus Ericsson won the inaugural race in Nashville, in one of the most incident packed and most chaotic races in IndyCar history. The 2022 Indy 500 Champion overcame an incident with Sebastien Bourdais that launched his Chip Ganassi Racing machine into the air. Incredibly, his car was not terminally damaged, and the Swede went on to win the race.
In 2022, Scott Dixon took home the winners’ trophy after a caution went his way. The Street Course in Nashville has encountered a fair share of criticism by fans. IndyCar hopes the modifications to the track will improve the racing for years to come. Especially the new turn three should aid overtaking. Regardless, drama will be guaranteed for the future in Nashville as the IndyCar season finale.
In year’s past, Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, was normally the season finale race but, as for the changes, the race will remain on the 2024 calendar as more details about the entire 2024 schedule will be forthcoming.
“Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca remains a beloved, historic venue for our teams, drivers and fans in an important and scenic market,” Miles said.
