Pato O’Ward’s triumph at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto on July 20 has tightened the IndyCar championship battle, cutting Alex Palou’s championship lead to 99 points as the series heads to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on July 27. This victory marked a 30-point swing in the championship, signaling potential momentum change in what has been a highly competitive season.
O’Ward’s win was a result of a daring tactical approach by his team, aiming to seize control over their fate in the championship standings. Although this bold strategy succeeded in Toronto, it remains uncertain whether it will have lasting effects on the title race.
How Race Dynamics Impacted the Championship Gap
Alex Palou appeared poised to extend his dominance at Toronto, potentially claiming his eighth victory of the year. However, untimely caution periods hindered his strategy, which relied on tire advantages that were neutralized when the entire field synchronized their pit stops. This setback prevented Palou from earning the crucial 53 points he sought, including bonus points for laps led.
Despite starting the final stint in 16th place, Palou methodically advanced to 12th, regaining some points to maintain his substantial cushion. While this was not a commanding performance, his consistent results throughout the season have built a strong championship foundation.
Ultimately, the luck of the race favored O’Ward, who capitalized on opportunities to reduce Palou’s lead.
Changes in the Championship Standings Beyond the Top Two
O’Ward’s success also expanded his advantage over third place by 30 points. Kyle Kirkwood, now the third-highest ranked driver, improved to sixth place in Toronto, offsetting a challenging previous race weekend in Iowa. His performance moved him just one point ahead of four-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, who dropped a point and now trails Palou by 174.
Christian Lundgaard, a previous Toronto winner, failed to capitalize on his strengths at the track due to contact with Will Power late in the race, leaving him in fifth place. Felix Rosenqvist‘s retirement on lap 87 allowed Lundgaard to maintain an eight-point edge over sixth place, representing a six-point swing in favor of the Dane.
The drivers from seventh to ninth saw no positional shifts, but Colton Herta managed to break a points tie with Will Power by earning his third consecutive pole position and finishing fourth, which earned him 34 valuable points. Herta’s results set the stage for a strong showing at Laguna Seca, a track where he excels, potentially challenging Meyer Shank Racing’s hold on sixth and seventh places.
Team Penske Faces a Challenging Weekend
Will Power delivered the best finish for Team Penske at Toronto, placing 11th. Though he closed the points gap to Armstrong slightly, Power remains 20 points behind in the battle for eighth. The race weekend also featured a significant change in the top 10 as David Malukas climbed past teammate Santino Ferrucci. Ferrucci was unable to start the race after crashing during a rain-affected morning warm-up, and unable to repair the car in time, he was ruled out by Team Principal Larry Foyt.
Malukas moved impressively from 15th to ninth in the closing laps, setting his fastest lap on lap 84 and positioning himself just four points behind Power in the championship. Meanwhile, Dale Coyne Racing’s strategic calls helped Rinus VeeKay secure second place, his first podium since a third-place finish at Barber in 2022. This performance earned VeeKay 41 points and elevated him to 11th in the standings, just outside the top 10.
Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden of Team Penske endured setbacks, with Newgarden’s failure to finish dropping him to 16th in points and McLaughlin continuing a decline to 13th after a promising 10th place at Iowa Race 1. Kyffin Simpson’s first career IndyCar podium also propelled him to 14th in the standings, underscoring his rapid ascent in the series.
An Unexpected Podium Highlighting Emerging Talent
The Toronto race produced an unusual podium featuring Rinus VeeKay and Kyffin Simpson, two drivers who have steadily improved their performances during the season. While this suggested potential shifts within the top ranks, Alex Palou’s lead remains widely considered substantial given the one-week interval until Laguna Seca, a track where Palou holds past success as the defending winner.
The significance of this weekend may yet be determined in the coming races, with Laguna Seca set to challenge all contenders and test if O’Ward’s momentum can continue to close the gap on Palou’s quest for a fourth championship title.
“Pato O’Ward’s victory in Sunday’s (July 20) Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto created a 30-point swing in the championship fight.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
“If not for poorly timed yellows, Palou was in control of winning his eighth race, therefore adding 53 points (three additional for leading both a lap and the most) to his championship total and preventing anyone from cutting into that.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
“Malukas’ stellar drive over his last stint after pitting on lap 74 was the real show in the sprint to the finish.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
“Rinus VeeKay finish second, his first podium since a third at Barber in 2022.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
“One-time Toronto winner Christian Lundgaard didn’t capitalize on a type of track he is good on, faltering after a run-in during the last stint with Will Power.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
“Kyffin Simpson’s first career IndyCar podium shot him like lightning up the championship.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
“Will Power’s flag-carrying effort for Team Penske was only good enough for 11th at the finish.” —Tom, IndyCar Writer
