There’ll be a further touch of Kiwi flair in IndyCar next season as Tom Blomqvist joins an expanded Meyer Shank Racing program on a multi-year deal.
Blomqvist will compete in the series full-time as Helio Castroneves steps back from competing and becomes a new addition to the ownership group. Castroneves will, however, continue to challenge for his fifth Indy 500 crown in Meyer Shank’s third entry in the iconic race.
As a triple national of New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Blomqvist races under the British flag but considers himself a Kiwi. “He has a New Zealand passport, he is a New Zealand citizen as well as a UK citizen, and he grew up here,” his mother, Kim Blomqvist, told Velocity News.
Blomqvist has made a name for himself in IMSA for the same team, driving to success in the premier DPi Hypercar class in 2022. He won the last two 24 Hours of Daytona and was also successful in last year’s Petit Le Mans.
“We are thrilled to bring Tom (Blomqvist) over to our INDYCAR program full-time starting next year and to be able to keep Helio as a key part of our program moving forward and go for a fifth Indianapolis 500 victory next year,” said owner Mike Shank.
“I feel like all the planets aligned for us to be able to do this, so I’m really grateful for us to be making this next step as a team. Helio brings so much to what we do overall as a team, both in terms of our competition package and all of his experience, as well as how he’s able to engage with our partners. So having him transition to this role is really exciting for everyone involved.”
“Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to Mike and Jim and all the partners – AutoNation, SiriusXM, Arctic Wolf, Clopay and Cleveland-Cliffs – for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” said Blomqvist.
“It’s been a good ride the last two years in IMSA, but I’ve been itching to make the step up to INDYCAR, and this is an opportunity I’m eager and motivated to make the most of.
“INDYCAR is an incredibly competitive series, and I’m under no illusions in how difficult this championship can be, but I am extremely motivated to make the most of this exciting new challenge.”
Blomqvist made his IndyCar debut in Toronto earlier this year, replacing an injured Simon Pagenaud. He qualified 20th for the race and was unlucky to be taken out in a multi-car collision at Turn 1.
Meyer Shank Racing are yet to confirm their second driver for 2024.
Header Image: Meyer Shank Racing.
