Alex Palou is leading the 2024 IndyCar championship and stands on the verge of securing his fourth series title this weekend at the Portland Grand Prix. To clinch the championship, Palou needs to accumulate 108 more points during the race weekend, while his closest rival, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, trails by 121 points and remains the only contender capable of overtaking him.
The ongoing championship chase remains active as Palou emphasized the importance of denying any rival a mathematical chance to catch him.
“If somebody else is mathematically alive, it’s still alive, so we don’t want anybody to be mathematically alive for the points.”
—Alex Palou, Championship Leader
O’Ward’s Challenge and Palou’s Consistency at Portland
For O’Ward to extend his title hopes, a particularly strong performance at Portland is essential. Historically, O’Ward’s results at this track have been solid but not victorious, with his last two finishes in the top four but not higher than fourth place. This puts pressure on the Mexican driver to outpace Palou in what is shaping up as a pivotal race weekend.
Palou’s Ambition: Targeting Single-Season Win Record
Besides the championship, Palou is pursuing another remarkable milestone—breaking the record for the most IndyCar wins in a single season. Currently, the record stands at 10 victories, jointly held by legends A.J. Foyt and Al Unser Sr. Palou has already secured eight wins in 2024, making the record within reach, though challenging.
Asked about the possibility of surpassing the win record during the Portland event, Palou expressed a focused but cautious mindset.
“No. I mean, obviously, I’m aware, and I know that the chance is still there, although it’s very low, just because we would need to win three or at least two to match it, and that’s a lot. Although it’s been a really good year, I think it’s pretty tough to do that. I know that the best way to try and get there is to win Portland and get one more and then just be one closer.”
—Alex Palou, IndyCar Driver
“That’s what I’m going to try and do, try and win Portland and then see if we can win another race. I don’t really think about it. I think, although I would love it, I cannot really change it. The only way I can change it is by just focusing on Portland and taking it step by step like we’ve been doing all year,” he added.
—Alex Palou, IndyCar Driver
Historical Context of the Win Record
The single-season victory record in IndyCar was initially set by A.J. Foyt in 1964, who dominated by winning 10 of the 13 races that year. Al Unser Sr. matched this feat in 1970, achieving 10 wins across 18 races. Palou’s performance this season puts him just two wins shy of tying this historic mark, underscoring his exceptional form.
Outlook for the Championship and Future Prospects
As the championship run nears its conclusion, Alex Palou’s focus remains sharply on the present race and securing the points needed to claim his fourth title. Holding the lead against Pato O’Ward’s challenge, Palou’s efforts at Portland will be crucial in determining whether he can solidify his place as one of IndyCar’s greats.
Should Palou secure the championship and approach the win record, it will not only cement his legacy in IndyCar history but also elevate expectations for his future racing career. The upcoming races will be decisive in showcasing whether Palou can convert his dominant season into historic accomplishments.
