Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will drive the No. 66 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda in this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America on June 9, Meyer Shank Racing officials announced May 29.
MSR and rookie driver Tom Blomqvist have mutually agreed for Blomqvist to step aside for the two upcoming NTT INDYCAR SERIES races. Blomqvist, who won back-to-back Rolex 24 At Daytonas and one IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship title for MSR, will remain part of the team.
“Making this decision was by far the hardest one we have had to make,” MSR co-owner Mike 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.”
Blomqvist is 24th in the series standings after five starts this season, with a best result of 15th at St. Petersburg. He crashed out of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Lap 1 last Sunday and was credited with 31st place.
“It is fair to say that the last couple of days have been some of the hardest in my career,” Blomqvist 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.”
Castroneves will join teammate Felix Rosenqvist in the MSR lineup at Detroit and Road America. Castroneves finished 20th for MSR last Sunday in the Indianapolis 500, his only other NTT INDYCAR SERIES start this season.