Alex Palou stands poised to secure his third consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES title this weekend at the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland presented by askROI, marking his fourth championship in five years. As the season moves into its critical homestretch at Portland International Raceway, the stakes are higher than ever, with Palou’s Indycar Championship Bid gaining significant momentum.
Few Drivers Have Tasted Victory This Season Amid a Tight Championship Battle
This year’s season has seen only four drivers on top of the podium, a stark contrast to recent years where an average of more than eight drivers won races each season. Notably, 23 drivers remain winless this year, intensifying the pressure to change that in the final rounds. Several past winners, including Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Colton Herta, are still seeking their first wins of the season.
Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson and Christian Lundgaard have both claimed recent victories in 2023, and Alexander Rossi last won in 2022. Though winning is not the sole measure of success, securing a victory helps drivers ease the challenges of the offseason, adding urgency to the final three races.
Portland International Raceway’s History and Drivers’ Past Performances
Will Power, the defending winner at Portland, dominated last year’s race by leading 101 of 110 laps to win by nearly 10 seconds over Palou, marking his second career victory at this 12-turn, 1.964-mile circuit. Power also secured a win at Portland in 2019. Other former winners include Scott McLaughlin, who triumphed in 2022, and Palou himself, with victories in 2021 and the most recent race in 2023.
Additional drivers with strong Portland track records include Felix Rosenqvist, who finished second twice, in 2019 and 2023, and Alexander Rossi, who achieved two podiums with a third place in 2019 and a runner-up finish in 2021. Josef Newgarden was third last year. These performances underscore the competitive nature at this venue.
Key Contenders’ Conditions as the Portland Race Approaches
Santino Ferrucci, who won the NTT P1 Award for the first time at Portland last year, has had a chance to recover fully after an injured hand suffered in Toronto kept him out of racing last week. His return adds an optimistic element for his team. Graham Rahal, another strong qualifier here, earned pole position at Portland in 2023, demonstrating his capability to compete at the front.
However, the prime focus remains on Palou, who leads Pato O’Ward by 121 points. Palou can clinch the championship at Portland by maintaining a lead of at least 108 points after the weekend’s race, moving him into golf company as the fourth driver ever to win three consecutive series titles. The exclusive group includes Ted Horn, Sebastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti.
Palou’s Pursuit of Seasonal Win Records Adds to Championship Stakes
In addition to his championship potential, Palou is chasing a record for most wins in a season. With eight victories so far, he is two wins short of the record 10 set by A.J. Foyt in 1964 and Al Unser in 1970. Mario Andretti’s nine wins in 1969 remain the only other seasons with more victories than Palou’s current tally.
Sunday’s race will be broadcast live on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network at 3 p.m. ET, with the first practice session airing Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET on FS2 and INDYCAR Radio. The outcome at Portland promises to shape the championship decisively as Palou inches closer to landmark achievements in the series.