Chip Ganassi Racing is replacing a Swedish driver with a…Swedish driver. Marcus Ericsson and Andretti Autosport announced just last week that the two will team up in 2024 and beyond. That left a seat open at Ganassi. That seat wasn’t open for very long.

On Thursday, Ganassi announced that they have signed Linus Lundqvist to a multi-year deal to take over one of the four cars for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

Lundqvist is set to bring his championship credentials to Chip Ganassi Racing for his first full season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024. 

“Joining Chip Ganassi Racing is an absolute dream come true for me,” said Lundqvist. “Stepping up to race full-time in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and to do so with one of the most successful teams in the history of the championship, is the moment I’ve been working for throughout my career. It is hard to explain how much this means to me. I am incredibly grateful to Chip, Mike and to everyone who has backed me on this journey, including of course my family.”

Ganassi likes winners and with Lundqvist winning last year’s Indy NXT title as well as what he did with Meyer Shank Racing this season, he found himself a good one.

“It’s terrific that the opportunity to hire Linus, a proven winner, plus the reigning 2022 INDY NXT Champion is now a reality at Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull. “He has shown that his on-track performance creates the racecraft separation that’s required in INDYCAR today. Growing together with Linus is what comes next.”

After winning the 2022 INDY NXT championship, Lundqvist made the jump to compete in three INDYCAR races this season with Meyer Shank Racing. 

Lundqvist wasted no time making his mark, setting the fastest lap time among all drivers in two of his first three races in the series. 

“I have dipped my toes into INDYCAR racing in recent weeks, which will give me a little bit of a head start going into 2024,” said Lundqvist. “Coming up through INDY NXT has provided me with some important experience that will help me get up to speed. Having said that, this is an entirely new challenge as I prepare to join an established top team at the highest level of the sport. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but having a team like Chip Ganassi Racing put their trust in me is the greatest motivator I could ever have. I intend to do everything in my power to grab this opportunity and I look forward to all the moments ahead, next year and beyond.”

Lundqvist dominated throughout the 2022 INDY NXT season, clinching the championship by a margin of 92 points after earning five wins, nine podiums and seven pole positions. He made his series debut in 2021, where he finished third in the points standings with three wins, 11 podiums and three pole positions.

Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Lundqvist previously won the 2020 Formula Regional Americas Championship, the 2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and the 2016 Formula STCC Nordic Championship. 

Lundqvist will be embedded with the Chip Ganassi Racing team for the final two races of the season as he prepares for the next step in his career. Which is why I wrote in the Tom Blomqvist story earlier this week that it made no sense for MSR to continue on with Lundqvist when they know he’s going elsewhere. Why groom him for Ganassi?

Blomqvist had no more conflicts with IMSA so why not let him get a head start and let Lundqvist head to Ganassi early to learn on the timing stand.

This now almost assures Ganassi’s lineup for 2024. Scott Dixon is back. While not officially announced, I find a hard time believing Alex Palou is leaving with all the drama now surrounding him. The letter was sent to McLaren that he’s not coming for 2024 and why send that if you’re not planning on coming back. With Lundqvist now in the stable, the final ride in the 11 car is left and I’ve heard all along Marcus Armstrong is the front runner.