Best Scheduling Change That At First Was Thought To Be A Bad Idea (2024)

Moving The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey To June

Since IndyCar returned to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the event served as the season finale, crowning the champion. That made for gripping drama – except for the time Alex Palou wrapped up the title early – confetti showers and a good chance of getting caught in champagne spray. For 2024, however, IndyCar moved the party from the iconic turns of Laguna Seca to the drab oval outside of Nashville, perhaps figuring that the country music capital could throw a bigger post-race do. Probably. What it meant for Laguna Seca was not mid-season doldrums, but bigger crowds. With school out and vacations scheduled, the June event drew some 40,000 fans, well above the numbers that traveled here for the September finales. So Laguna Seca took the checkered flag.