Helio Castroneves will take over driving duties of Tom Blomqvist‘s No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda for the next two races on the NTT IndyCar Series schedule, the team announced on Wednesday (May 29).
The team released a statement saying that they had, in agreement with Blomqvist, decided that the rookie should sit out the next two races on the schedule, which will be the Grand Prix of Detroit and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. Team co-owner Mike Shank emphasized that Blomqvist will still be involved in MSR’s IndyCar operations throughout the rest of the season.
“Making this decision was by far the hardest one we have had to make,” Shank said. “Tom is 100% still a part of the MSR family and will remain a part of the team for the rest of the season. The decision was not made lightly and after much discussion with Tom, and with back-to-back races coming up, we have decided to have Helio drive in Detroit and at Road America.”
Castroneves previously drove full-time for the team in 2022 and 2023, as well as running a part-time campaign in 2021, during which he won the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500. He most recently finished 20th in the race’s 2024 running.
The team’s statement also included input from Blomqvist on the decision.
“It is fair to say that the last couple of days have been some of the hardest in my career,” the British driver said. “Everyone who knows me knows how much I love being a part of the MSR family and together we have enjoyed some amazing successes and victories. I am looking forward to remaining part of the MSR family and contributing to the MSR vision as we chase down further successes in the future.”
Blomqvist is currently in his first full-time IndyCar season, having made three starts in the latter half of 2023 as a substitute for the injured Simon Pagenaud. His best finish of 2024 to date is 15th place at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He most recently escaped injury in a hard crash on the opening lap of this year’s Indianapolis 500.
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