Lundqvist to Pilot No. 8 American Legion Honda in 2024

Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that Linus Lundqvist will pilot the No. 8 American Legion Honda throughout the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

Lundqvist, 24, signed a multi-year deal with Chip Ganassi Racing on Aug. 31 after setting the fastest lap times in two of his first three INDYCAR races. Officially embarking on the 2024 season as a rookie, he is set to take on the full calendar primarily sporting The American Legion’s red, white and blue ‘Be The One’ livery, including the historic 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500.  

• Chief Marketing Officer of The American Legion Dean Kessel: “We are thrilled to build off the championship season with Chip Ganassi Racing and form this new relationship with a talented young driver in Linus Lundqvist. Linus’ enthusiasm and personality stood out to our team since day one, and I am confident that he will be a quality ambassador for our organization and the Be The One platform. Our collective focus continues to extend beyond the racetrack, and we will continue to lead the charge to end veteran suicide.”

• Linus Lundqvist: “I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with The American Legion for the 2024 INDYCAR season. To move on to the next chapter and to be connected to the veteran community makes it even more special. A major thank you to Dean and The American Legion for this opportunity. I am privileged to be able to represent such an impactful organization and I am looking forward to our work together with Be The One."

• Chip Ganassi: “I am very much looking forward to Linus getting on the track to show the kind of driver that we all believe he will be. In addition, I believe Linus’ off-track presence will match well with the strong partnership we have with The American Legion. Over the last three seasons it has been a tremendous honor to work alongside The American Legion in our shared mission to save veteran lives. So, stepping into 2024 with Linus piloting the 8 car our expectations are rather high and I am very much looking forward to our first official race together in March.”

• Be The One: The number one issue facing the veteran community is suicide, according to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. It is estimated that 17 veterans take their lives each day. The American Legion instituted the Be The One initiative to activate a national platform aimed at reducing the rate of veteran suicide. Be The One is focused on destigmatizing asking for mental health support and providing peer-to-peer support and resources in local communities.

• The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing have maintained a partnership since 2021. The team has presented The American Legion primary livery for 28 races in that span accounting for 12 podiums and four wins. Lundqvist will join a worldclass roster of drivers to have represented The American Legion behind the wheel, including defending Rookie of the Year Marcus Armstrong, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Indianapolis 500 Winner Tony Kanaan and two-time INDYCAR champion Alex Palou. 

• The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship was won by Alex Palou last season, capturing his second Astor Cup adorned in The American Legion branding. “They (Chip Ganassi Racing) have rallied behind our mission, launching not only a brand last year, but also our Be The One platform, which is all about destigmatizing veterans asking for help,” said Kessel after the Astor Cup was secured. “The visibility is off the chart and for our 1.6 million members across the country, this is amazing.”

• Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement to help transform communities across the world, is tomorrow, November 28. Chip Ganassi Racing encourages you to think about The American Legion as your preferred charity during this season of generosity.

• Chip Ganassi Racing and The American Legion will be launching their “12 Days of #VetsGiving” on Giving Tuesday where 12 unique prize packages will be listed for auction with a buy-it-now option, as well. #VetsGiving was first launched by the team in 2022, where nearly $40,000 was raised. All proceeds will go directly to The American Legion.