Fans show out for the first official Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix
THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) - The NTT INDYCAR Series is hosting its second event of the 2025 season and the first-ever race is taking place at the Thermal Club on Sunday.
Hundreds of fans and Coachella Valley residents showed out for the big event, with the picturesque mountains in the background. Because this was the first time that the NTT INDYCAR series hosted an official race at the Thermal Club, fans told News Channel Three's Tori King that they wanted to be a part of the historical day, some of them, even watching the event unfold below the patios of their mansions along the race track.
"It was awesome," said Chely, who attended the unofficial race last year. " I came back because of the noise of the car, just the excitement, I love it.”
The Thermal Club grounds were filled with attendees, many of them coming from all around the world. And fans had plenty to keep them busy aside from the race, including activations booths and local dining options. Two brothers, Kasi and Saarin Rao are Thermal Club members. They drove to the Coachella Valley from San Diego to see the race themselves. They also knew it would be a unique experience, because of how close viewers can get to the track here compared to other races.
“I think my favorite part is the crowds," said Kasi. "There's a lot less of a crowd here than there normally is at other races, and I love how open everything is. You can just walk, straight into the paddock.” His brother Saarin agreed.
"Being in the paddock, and just seeing all the drivers around, you can't do that anywhere else," said Saarin. "But I also really liked the food trucks, they were really nice, too.”
Fans like Brent Miller also hope this unique race continues here in the future because he enjoyed the overall atmosphere, and believes the attention the race brought to the Coachella Valley is positive.
"Oh, it's a different experience," said Miller. "I love the intimacy that we get to experience here in the valley, because people don't have this kind of experience, and especially the closeness of being right in the pit, or if you're in the paddock. I mean, it's just like an entirely different world.”
Although the NTT INDYCAR Series hosted the second event of the 2025 season at the Thermal Club, it’s not clear yet whether the race will be hosted here again in the future, but fans hope it returns.
"I would come every single year if they let me," said Miller. "I really, really hope they continue to host this race here."
You can find more race information HERE.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.
