The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix set for March 21-23 in the Coachella Valley

Fans can expect a full throttle experience where motorsports meet luxury

By: Alison Elsner

The Thermal Club is set to score another first, hosting the inaugural Thermal Club NTT IndyCar Grand Prix from March 21-23, 2025, the second official race of the season. A showcase of speed and skill, this marks the Club’s advancement to hosting a full championship event.

The weekend at The Thermal Club, regarded as one of the most cutting-edge private motorsports facilities in the world, will be filled with high-speed competition, offering a more intimate experience than, for instance, the Long Beach race vibe. (The Thermal Club race will be held three weeks before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, a traditional race on the West Coast for IndyCar.) This year’s race features the biggest names in the NTT IndyCar Series including 2024 series champion Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing), two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) and top championship finishers Colton Herta (Andretti Global), Scott McLaughlin and Will Power (Team Penske).

The Thermal Club founder and owner, Tim Rogers, said, “This brings a great event to the valley and makes it accessible to our local residents. It’s exciting for them to watch the action without having to deal with the massive crowds that one would experience at Indy 500 with 400,000 fans out there.”

He continued, “When fans enter the gates of The Thermal Club, they become aware that we have a world class racing facility right here in the desert.”

Spectators can immerse themselves in a variety of culinary offerings from top-tier food trucks to gourmet restaurants, as well as exclusive access to fan zones with driver meet-and-greets, merchandise pop-ups, and unique photo-ops, covering family-friendly spaces to VIP hospitality lounges.

The Club put itself on the on the racing map in early 2024 by hosting the IndyCar $1 Million Challenge, a non points exhibition March 22-24, 2024. The race was televised on NBC, and while Championship points were not on the line, the event featured a million-dollar purse with the first place award claimed by Spaniard Álex Palou. Palou led all 20 laps of the Sprint for the Purse from the pole, driving his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to a 5.7929-second victory over the No. 3 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet of Scott McLaughlin, who earned $350,000 for his runner-up finish.

“The Thermal Club is thrilled to welcome IndyCar back, this time for a full-scale Grand Prix,” said Rogers. “Our team has put everything into making this race an unforgettable experience for fans, residents, and guests, in an extraordinary setting that only The Thermal Club can offer.”

Rogers pointed out that there are a few changes. “This year we are making sure to give general admission ticket holders access to the food trucks and paddocks. The VIP attendees will have access to pit row which has to be a bit more restrictive for safety reasons.”

The race brings its distinctive blend of speed, precision and power to the track’s sophisticated Twin Palms track layout, which is a formidable 3.067 mile (4.82 kilometer) masterpiece, packed with 19 thrilling turns, demanding straightaways, sweeping curves, and elevation shifts.

The Thermal Club hosted an evaluation test last November, 2024, for the NTT IndyCar Series teams who put their skills to the test ahead of the upcoming March Grand Prix. Invited media members witnessed an exhibition with participants including Enzo Fittipaldi (Arrow McLaren), Toby Sowery (Dale Coyne Racing), Hunter McElrea (Ed Carpenter Racing), Logan Sargeant (Meyer Shank Racing), Louis Foster (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing), and Felipe Nasr (Team Penske).

“The evaluation test was a vital step leading up to the inaugural Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix,” said Rogers. “Our team has poured heart and soul into crafting an unforgettable experience, all set against the unparalleled backdrop.”

When asked if he had any predictions about who will finish first this year, Rogers said, “I want to wait until closer to the race to see who’s running fast.”

The Thermal Club’s entry is through unmarked gates which are tucked between acres of farmland and date palm groves, five miles from the Jacquelyn Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, California at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

The Club is a posh resort for mega well-heeled (as in average $30 million net worth each) motorsport enthusiasts who can savor race car action at their doorsteps and from atop their private balconies. First opened in 2013, the Club offers five racing circuits, karting and autocross tracks, designed by Alan Wilson. Each track has its own covered paddock and a full pit crew. The tracks can accommodate any vehicle at any speed, from F1 to high performance exotics to vintage motorsports racecars.

The Thermal Club was established and financed by car collectors and enthusiasts Tim and Twanna Rogers, who amassed their $7.5 billion in sales by buying and supplying fuel to 7-Eleven convenience stores and gas stations as well as owning Tower Energy Group (as in Tower Markets). The Club provides amenities including a motorsports village, spa, hotel for guests with 48 casitas, fitness center, tennis courts and a pool.

In order to tear it up on the track as a member of The Thermal Club – either with one’s own racing vehicle or with a car ordered for the day provided by The Club – the buy-in is $200,000 initiation fee, $2,400 per month membership fee and purchase of a lot with the firm commitment to build a luxury villa within five years, minimum 6,500 square feet. Most homes average 8,000 to 15,000 square feet, while Rogers’ is 24,000 square feet. Garages are two and three stories, often with viewing lofts from inside, akin to a modest airplane hangar. There are 276 lots.

Membership includes access to all tracks and amenities. The Club also keeps in the black through its relationship with the BMW Performance Driving Center West lease agreement on the grounds of the Club for $300,000 per month.

The NTT IndyCar Series, owned by Penske Corporation, is North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series. It features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2025 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Rogers plans to watch the race from his own patio again this year, before eventually heading out to congratulate the winners.

When asked if he’d like to make this a tradition, Rogers said, “I would definitely want to continue to have this event here…as long as we make money.”

The Thermal Club
61980 Tyler Street
Thermal, California 92274
thermal.cc
indycar.com

Tickets at indycar.com
Three-day pass for premium views, includes parking

$475 General admission
$240 Children 6-11 years old

Event Hours:
Friday, March 21: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 22: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, March 23: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.