On July 27 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Alex Palou once again secured maximum points in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series, achieving his third perfect race weekend of the season. This victory has expanded his lead to 121 points over Pato O’Ward, making Palou the overwhelming favorite to clinch the championship.
Palou’s consistency and dominance, including eight wins this season, have made his championship position nearly unassailable. At just six years into his IndyCar career, Palou’s performance level rivals the sport’s all-time greats, putting immense pressure on his closest challengers.
Championship Standings and Rivalries Emerge into Focus
Behind Palou, Pato O’Ward continues to solidify his hold on second place with a strong run at Laguna Seca, finishing fourth. O’Ward’s improvements on tracks where he previously faced challenges, like his win in Toronto, are narrowing the gap against drivers lower down the podium. His consistent top-five finishes help maintain a safe margin over third-place Scott Dixon, who regained that spot with a fifth-place finish.
The battle for third through fifth in the standings is tightly contested, with only 35 points separating the drivers. Kyle Kirkwood, who temporarily held third after Toronto, lost ground at Laguna due to penalties including contact with Rinus VeeKay. Christian Lundgaard, O’Ward’s teammate, also returned to form on a track suited to his skills, closing to within 20 points of fourth place behind Kirkwood.
Mid-Pack Battles and Setbacks Shape the Championship Landscape
Felix Rosenqvist experienced a significant setback after a first-lap crash at Laguna, finishing 24th and earning just five points, dropping him further behind the top contenders. Colton Herta secured a podium finish at Laguna, allowing him to leapfrog Marcus Armstrong for seventh place in the standings. Armstrong, despite losing a position, continues to impress with steady progress, competing for a career-best season after improving through recent races.
PREMA Racing’s Best IndyCar Result Thanks to Callum Ilott
Callum Ilott delivered PREMA Racing’s best-ever IndyCar finish with a strong sixth place at Laguna Seca. Despite this achievement, he only made modest strides in the standings as he trails teammate Robert Shwartzman by just five points. Ilott’s progress signals potential as he gains experience and adapts to the championship fight ahead.
Team Penske Faces Mixed Fortunes Amidst Championship Pressure
Team Penske had an average outing at Laguna, with Will Power leading the group by finishing seventh and maintaining ninth in the championship ranks. Power’s result slightly closes the distance to Marcus Armstrong. Scott McLaughlin ended a streak of DNFs by finishing in the points and gained ground in the standings, moving closer to securing a top-10 season finish. Josef Newgarden also improved but remains challenged to avoid his first winless season since 2014, needing to close a 44-point gap over the remaining races.
Rinus VeeKay’s race was compromised by contact with Kyle Kirkwood, resulting in a 23rd-place finish and dropping him further from the top-10 battle. His inconsistent finishes put additional pressure on his championship position.
Remaining Races Will Decide the Season’s Final Positions
With only three races remaining in 2025, the focus turns to whether Palou can extend his historic run by winning all remaining events. Two victories would tie the record held by legends like A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Mario Andretti, while three wins would set an unprecedented benchmark. Meanwhile, battles behind Palou for runner-up and other top positions remain intense, promising dramatic shifts as the season concludes in Portland and Milwaukee.
The competition among drivers outside the top two remains fierce, as several drivers fight to improve their standings before the season finale. How these rivalries unfold will have lasting effects on career trajectories and team dynamics heading into 2026.
“All eyes will be on whether he can win the last three races, setting a new historic benchmark with wins in a season. Two more will tie him with A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Mario Andretti. Three more will put him on a step unto himself.”
—Tom, IndyCar Writer