Alex Palou, right, of Chip Ganassi Racing, leads the pack through the esses in the first few laps and into Turn 14 during the featured auto race of the Thermal $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club in Thermal, Calif., Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun via AP )
Alex Palou, center, of Chip Ganassi Racing, celebrates after winning the featured auto race of the Thermal $1 Million Challenge with his team at The Thermal Club in Thermal, Calif., Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun via AP )
Alex Palou, right, of Chip Ganassi Racing, runs alone toward the finish line to win the featured auto race of the Thermal $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club in Thermal, Calif., Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun via AP )
Winner Alex Palou, left, of Chip Ganassi Racing, celebrates with third-place finisher Felix Rosenqvist, right, of Meyer Shank Racing, after the featured auto race of the Thermal $1 Million Challenge with his team at The Thermal Club in Thermal, Calif., Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun via AP )
Alex Palou, center, of Chip Ganassi Racing, stands atop of the podium alongside second-place finisher Scott McLaughlin, left, of Team Penske, and third-place finisher Felix Rosenqvist, right, of Meyer Shank Racing, after the featured auto race of the Thermal $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club in Thermal, Calif., Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun via AP )