Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward is pursuing Alex Palou’s lead in the IndyCar championship with just three races remaining in the season. Tony Kanaan, the team boss at Arrow McLaren, highlighted Palou’s remarkable dominance this year and revealed that he keeps a photo of the Spaniard on his fridge as motivation for his team.
Kanaan appeared on The Race IndyCar podcast following the Laguna Seca event to discuss Arrow McLaren’s progress this season compared to the success Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) have enjoyed. When asked if 2025 marked Arrow McLaren’s best campaign so far, Kanaan pointed out that the team is still relatively new and working toward matching the achievements Palou has set this year.
He praised Palou’s performances and explained how the driver’s excellence has inspired his own efforts.
“It’s pretty remarkable what Palou is doing, to be fair. I mean, as a driver, it’s one of those seasons that he will never forget because he dominated. We will never forget because we got beat. We can’t wake up. But I got to give it to the guy. He’s raising my game every day. I wake up with his picture on my fridge every morning. I look at his face.” —Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren Team Boss
Palou’s victory at Laguna Seca solidified his commanding position atop the IndyCar points standings, where he leads O’Ward by 121 points. This latest win marked Palou’s eighth of the season, putting him on pace to challenge the all-time record for most wins in a single IndyCar season if he triumphs in the final three races.
Insight into Pato O’Ward’s Perspective on the Championship Race Against Palou
After winning the Toronto IndyCar race, O’Ward narrowed the margin behind Palou to 99 points. However, the Laguna Seca race witnessed Palou once again demonstrating his dominance by securing pole position and controlling the race for more than 80 laps before finishing first.
O’Ward started the Laguna Seca race from second place but gradually fell behind, ending in fourth position. This outcome extended Palou’s lead in the championship from 99 to 121 points. Although O’Ward’s pursuit of the title is still mathematically possible, it is widely seen as improbable.
Reflecting on his title challenge, O’Ward told FOX:
“It’s a tall task, but still mathematically possible. Is it likely? Probably not, but we’re going to keep on pushing…We never really got worse than fifth this month. So five races in the top five and two of those being wins. That’s pretty awesome.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Driver
If O’Ward finishes second in the championship, it would represent his best IndyCar season to date, surpassing his previous high of third place in 2021 while with Arrow McLaren.
Palou’s Current Reign and its Implications for the IndyCar Title Race
Alex Palou’s consistent high-level performances have set a new standard in the championship this year. His ability to repeatedly win and lead races, especially at venues like Laguna Seca, has created a significant points gap that challenges any contender’s ability to catch up. As the season nears its close with only three races left, Palou stands as the clear favorite to secure another IndyCar championship.
Meanwhile, the Arrow McLaren team, guided by Kanaan’s leadership and inspired by Palou’s excellence, continues to strive for growth and improvement. The rivalry with Palou highlights the team’s determination to close the gap and compete at the highest level in the seasons ahead.
