Inside Felix Rosenqvist’s Bold Critique of the Iowa Doubleheader Package

Felix Rosenqvist Eyes Iowa Double-Header With Measured Optimism

Meyer Shank Racing driver Felix Rosenqvist is preparing for a critical weekend in the 2025 IndyCar Series with a double-header event at Iowa Speedway scheduled for July 11–13.¹

As the Swedish driver and his team ramp up efforts, questions still linger about the ideal setup, tire wear, and how the races might unfold across the demanding short oval.

With double points up for grabs and a tight championship battle, Rosenqvist knows the stakes are higher than ever.

The Challenge of Iowa Speedway: More Than Just Another Oval

Iowa Speedway is far from a routine stop on the IndyCar calendar. The 0.894-mile tri-oval is a short, intense track that tests not just a driver’s stamina but also the car’s durability and the team’s adaptability.

Unlike traditional high-speed circuits, Iowa’s tight corners and continuous traffic demand impeccable precision and strategic brilliance.

Felix Rosenqvist, piloting the #60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda-powered entry, acknowledges the complexity of racing here — especially with two races scheduled just a day apart.

To make matters more challenging, both races in the 2025 edition will feature 25 additional laps compared to last year, adding more pressure on both physical endurance and fuel-tire strategies.

P2 AT ROAD AMERICA! What a day for @MeyerShankRac with 2 podiums in @IMSA and @IndyCar 🎉 pic.twitter.com/ZR2Yn6z0aQ

— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) June 22, 2025

Testing at Iowa: Gathering Data Amid Uncertainty

Rosenqvist was among the drivers who participated in a crucial private test at Iowa Speedway on June 25.

While the data from that test has not been publicly released, teams were hard at work experimenting with multiple aerodynamic and mechanical setups. For Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing, the focus was squarely on preparation rather than performance.

“I think we’re still not sure, like, exactly what we’re going to run in the race in terms of downforce and stuff,” Rosenqvist said. “So we tried a bunch of different setups, basically so we’re ready for whatever it’s going to be.”

The uncertainty is not unique to Rosenqvist’s camp. Due to varying conditions between testing and race day — especially on a short oval where track rubber, temperature, and tire degradation play crucial roles — final decisions are typically made closer to race weekend. Nevertheless, logging laps and fine-tuning race simulations are essential pieces of the Iowa puzzle.

Felix Rosenqvist: Highline Potential

Strategic Opportunities or False Hope?

One of the major talking points following the June 25 test was the viability of the highline at Iowa.²

Traditionally, drivers tend to settle into a single-file rhythm during the race due to the narrow racing groove and tricky surface. But Rosenqvist is hopeful the highline could offer some passing opportunities or alternate strategy windows during the race.

“In the test, I normally run the highline. I think the highline will be usable in the race,” he explained. “But normally on a race like this, you just kind of end up in a single file.”

Should the highline become viable during the race weekend, it could open the door for aggressive overtakes, tire management advantages, or even late-race comebacks. For a double-header with cumulative points pressure, small strategic edges could have major championship implications.

Double-Header, Double Pressure: A Key Turning Point in the Season

What sets this Iowa weekend apart is the rare back-to-back race format.

Drivers will compete on both Saturday (July 12) and Sunday (July 13), meaning they must manage fatigue, adjust setups on the fly, and avoid major incidents that could ruin the second race before it even begins.

More importantly, both races offer full points, making it one of the most impactful weekends on the 2025 calendar.

“It’s double points technically with two races, so even more important,” Rosenqvist noted.

This format rewards consistency and punishes error. A strong weekend can vault a driver several spots in the championship standings, while a misstep can unravel months of hard work.

That pressure isn’t lost on veterans like Rosenqvist, who knows this could be a season-defining stretch.

Felix Rosenqvist: Season So Far

Steady Progress for Rosenqvist and MSR

Felix Rosenqvist’s 2025 campaign has been a story of quiet consistency. The Swede started strong at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2, where he qualified 3rd and eventually finished in 7th place.³

While he couldn’t convert his front-row start into a podium, it was a promising display of speed early in the season.

Most notably, Rosenqvist made a significant leap at the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, where he qualified in 12th but executed a sharp, strategic race to finish in 2nd place — his best result of the season so far.

These performances reflect both his skill and the growth of Meyer Shank Racing as a whole. The team, long viewed as a mid-tier outfit in the IndyCar paddock, is now showing signs of breaking through to regular top-10 contention.

Eyes on the Future: What’s at Stake for Rosenqvist?

Now in his early 30s, Rosenqvist finds himself at a critical juncture in his career.

After stints with Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren, the move to Meyer Shank Racing represents both a new challenge and a chance to solidify himself as a leader within a rising organization.

The Iowa double-header provides a rare opportunity. Strong results could set the tone for the remainder of his season and, possibly, a long-term future with MSR. Conversely, a poor showing in back-to-back races could derail momentum at a critical stage.

What Needs to Go Right in Iowa

To contend in both races at Iowa, several elements must align for Rosenqvist:

1. Setup Stability: With uncertainty around downforce packages and tire wear, adaptability will be key. MSR must quickly settle on the right compromise between qualifying speed and long-run consistency.

2. Traffic Management: Iowa is notorious for its lapped traffic. Navigating slower cars cleanly without losing rhythm or risking damage will be essential across both races.

3. Pit Strategy: With 25 extra laps, pit windows will shift. Stretching fuel runs or opting for undercuts could shake up the field — but only if executed flawlessly.

4. Driver Recovery: Two races in 24 hours takes a toll. Staying mentally sharp and physically refreshed overnight will determine who can stay competitive on Sunday.

Felix Rosenqvist’s Emotional Return to the Podium at Road America

Felix Rosenqvist’s second-place finish at the 2025 XPEL Grand Prix of Road America marked a significant turning point in his IndyCar season.

The Swedish driver not only claimed his first podium of the current championship but also ended a personal drought that stretched back to a non-championship event at Thermal Club.

His journey to the top three wasn’t smooth sailing, starting from the 12th position and navigating through a chaotic race. Let’s dive into the details of his emotional comeback, his race-day resilience, and what this means for the rest of his season.

A Season Searching for Breakthroughs

Heading into the Road America weekend, Rosenqvist’s 2025 IndyCar campaign had been a mixture of promise and frustration.

He consistently showed flashes of speed in qualifying and practice sessions, but luck and race-day incidents prevented those performances from translating into podium finishes.

After a solid performance in Thermal earlier in the year—albeit in a non-points-paying event—he seemed poised for a strong season.

However, several mid-pack finishes, mechanical issues, and racing incidents kept him off the rostrum. Despite the setbacks, Rosenqvist remained optimistic and focused, believing that his breakthrough was only a matter of time.

Chaos Unfolds at Road America

Road America has long been known for its fast corners, elevation changes, and frequent race-day drama.

The 2025 edition of the XPEL Grand Prix was no exception. From the opening laps, drivers struggled with grip, track limits, and aggressive overtaking maneuvers. Multiple cars ended up in the wall or gravel traps, prompting yellow flags and reshuffling the field.

Rosenqvist, starting from 12th, stayed out of trouble. While many around him faltered, he maintained a cool head and executed clean overtakes.

His strategic pit stops, coupled with an opportunistic approach to capitalizing on caution periods, steadily elevated him up the leaderboard.

The Drive of a Veteran

One of the standout aspects of Rosenqvist’s performance was his maturity behind the wheel. While younger drivers pushed too hard and made costly errors, Felix delivered a clinical drive.

He navigated traffic with precision, avoided unnecessary contact, and showcased an understanding of the circuit that only experience can bring.

Lap after lap, he chipped away at the deficit to the front runners. His race engineer guided him through a smart tire strategy, ensuring he had the pace when it mattered most.

By the final stint, Rosenqvist had worked his way into podium contention and secured second place with a calculated move on the penultimate restart.

Felix Rosenqvist: Impact on the Championship Standings

With the second-place finish, Rosenqvist climbed to fourth in the overall championship standings with 231 points.

This puts him right back into the title conversation, especially with more than half the season still to go.

His consistency, even in the absence of prior podiums, had kept him in striking distance. Now, with a strong result to build upon, Rosenqvist has momentum.

More importantly, his team—who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes—now have renewed belief in their car and strategy.

Team Performance: A Key Factor

Rosenqvist’s return to form can’t be discussed without acknowledging the role of his team. Their performance at Road America was near flawless.

From setup adjustments to pit execution and in-race strategy, the coordination was seamless. The team managed tire degradation well, avoided traffic pitfalls, and gave Felix the tools he needed to perform.

It’s a testament to the collective effort in motorsport: even the most talented drivers rely on the strength and unity of their crew to achieve results. This podium was a shared victory—and one that could be a launching pad for even greater success.

 

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Overcoming Adversity: A Defining Trait

Throughout his career, Rosenqvist has been known for his resilience. Whether racing in Formula E, DTM, or IndyCar, he’s faced numerous challenges—injuries, team changes, inconsistent equipment—but has always bounced back stronger. This latest result adds to that narrative.

In a sport where confidence can swing dramatically from week to week, a result like this does more than earn points; it restores belief. Rosenqvist showed that, regardless of grid position or recent form, he has the capability to deliver when it counts.

Fan Support and Global Recognition

Rosenqvist has long been a fan favorite, especially among Swedish motorsport enthusiasts.

His calm demeanor, technical approach, and underdog grit have endeared him to many. Social media was buzzing after the Road America podium, with fans and fellow drivers congratulating him on the long-awaited result.

In an increasingly global series like IndyCar, international representation matters. Felix’s success is not only a personal milestone but also a moment of pride for Swedish motorsport.