At the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland presented by askROI this weekend, Alex Palou stands on the verge of clinching his third consecutive INDYCAR series championship and his fourth title in five seasons. This race at Portland International Raceway marks a crucial moment in the IndyCar championship chase, with Palou holding a commanding points lead as the season approaches its conclusion.
Few Drivers Have Found Victory Lane This Season
So far in this season, only four drivers have secured victories, leaving 23 competitors still searching for their first win of the year. This scarcity of winners contrasts sharply with the past four seasons, where at least seven different drivers found the top step, averaging 8.25 race winners annually. Last year, all seven race winners earned multiple victories, underscoring the high bar for success this year.
Several notable drivers with wins last year—Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Colton Herta—have yet to capture a race win this season. Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson and Christian Lundgaard’s most recent victories were earlier in 2023, with <a href="https://www.big14news.com/tag/alexander-rossi/”>Alexander Rossi last winning in 2022. While winning does not singularly define a season, it remains a key milestone that sharpens off-season reflections and intensifies competition during the final races.
Past Portland Winners and Their Prospects This Weekend
Will Power, the defending winner at Portland and the reigning champion of this event, dominated last year’s race by leading 101 of 110 laps and finishing nearly 10 seconds ahead of Palou. Power’s victories at Portland in 2019 and 2022 highlight his strength on the 12-turn, 1.964-mile circuit.
Scott McLaughlin also returns as a former Portland winner, having taken the checkered flag in 2022. Palou himself owns two victories at Portland, one in 2021 and his most recent in 2023. Beyond them, Felix Rosenqvist has twice finished second here, while Alexander Rossi has two podium finishes, including a third place in 2019 and second in 2021. Josef Newgarden also scored a third-place finish at Portland last year.
Drivers Seeking Momentum and Recovery at Portland
Santino Ferrucci, who earned his first career NTT P1 Award at Portland last year, arrives with renewed optimism after resting a hand injury sustained in Toronto. Graham Rahal, another experienced Portland pole winner from 2023, also looks to build on his qualifying prowess this weekend. These factors add to the weekend’s competitive tension, especially for drivers determined to break their winless streaks.
Palou’s Championship Outlook and Historic Pursuits
Despite the competitive field, Alex Palou remains the central figure in this championship battle. Currently leading Pato O’Ward by 121 points, Palou will secure the championship if he maintains at least a 108-point advantage by the end of the weekend’s race. A win would elevate him to join an elite group of drivers—Ted Horn, Sebastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti—who have won three consecutive series championships.
In addition to the championship, Palou is chasing a notable record for most wins in a single season. With eight victories so far, he is two wins shy of the all-time mark of ten set by A.J. Foyt in 1964 and matched by Al Unser in 1970. Mario Andretti’s nine wins in 1969 also remain just ahead of Palou’s current total. This adds another layer of significance to his performance at Portland.
Broadcast and Schedule Details for the Portland Weekend
The race will be broadcast live at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network. The first practice session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, airing on FS2 alongside the INDYCAR Radio Network coverage. Fans and teams alike will be closely watching as the championship chase moves into its final stretch at this historic track.
