As we gear up for the 2024 Music City Grand Prix, there are some exciting changes to note. The IndyCar series is shifting gears with a new location and a fresh date for this year’s race.
Race Venue Change
You might have heard that the Music City Grand Prix is moving from downtown Nashville to the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon. This change comes as a result of construction on a new stadium for the Tennessee Titans, which started earlier this year. Initially, the race organizers hoped they could keep the event downtown by designing a new course, including a 3,500-foot stretch over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. However, as more details about the stadium’s construction emerged, it became clear that moving the race was the best option.
The good news is that the Music City Grand Prix will stay at Nashville Superspeedway until 2026. If everything goes as planned with the stadium construction, the race might return to downtown Nashville in 2028.
New Track Details
This year’s Music City Grand Prix will no longer be the road race we’re used to. Instead of the 2.17-mile road course with 11 turns through downtown, the race will now take place on a 1.33-mile D-shaped oval track at the Superspeedway. The track has a concrete surface and 14 degrees of banking. The race will be 206 laps long, covering a distance of 275 miles.
The oval track has been a notable feature of the IndyCar season, highlighted by the Indianapolis 500. Nashville’s Josef Newgarden won that prestigious race for the second year in a row in May.
Ticket Information
With the move to a new venue, the Nashville Superspeedway, which holds 25,000 spectators, there will be a smaller crowd compared to the 50,000 fans who attended the event downtown. Even though ticket sales got a late start, they’re doing well. According to Scott Borchetta, CEO of Music City Grand Prix, all premium seats are sold out, but there are still some general admission tickets available.
Championship Implications
The 2024 Music City Grand Prix will now serve as the season finale. This is a significant change from August’s earlier slot. The final race will determine the IndyCar champion. Heading into this race, Alex Palou leads with a 33-point advantage over Will Power. Palou had a setback in Milwaukee with an engine failure but still holds a strong position. Scott McLaughlin, in third place, is also in contention, although he’s 50 points behind Palou.
Qualifying and Practice
Race weekend kicks off with gates opening at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway. The schedule includes practice sessions at 10:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., with qualifying set for 1:45 p.m. An autograph session with Indy NXT drivers will follow the final practice at 6 p.m.
Conclusion
The 2024 Music City Grand Prix promises to be an exciting event with these significant changes. Moving to the Nashville Superspeedway and having the season finale there adds a new layer of anticipation. Whether you’re a die-hard IndyCar fan or just looking to enjoy the race, make sure you catch all the action and see how this thrilling season wraps up.
