In the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series, Pato O’Ward marked his best IndyCar finish to date by placing fifth at the Snap-On Milwaukee 250 on August 24. This result allowed him to hold onto second place in the championship standings, edging out veteran Scott Dixon following a dramatic weekend in Milwaukee. With the title already clinched by Alex Palou two weeks earlier at Portland, the focus shifted to O’Ward’s significant leap in the rankings.
The Milwaukee race highlighted intense competition even without Palou’s championship at stake, demonstrating that thrilling contests can unfold well before the season’s conclusion. Palou’s role was mostly to defend the Astor Trophy, engaging in a tense battle with Christian Rasmussen who secured his first career IndyCar victory at the event.
Points Battle Tightens Among Top Contenders
Heading into the upcoming Nashville race on August 31, the fight for podium positions in the standings remains fierce. Christian Lundgaard matched his season-best oval finish by taking sixth place, positioning himself just seven points behind Scott Dixon. This close margin sets the stage for a compelling showdown that could see Arrow McLaren drivers capture a notable 2-3 finish and challenge Team Penske’s dominance among Chevrolet-powered teams.
Kyle Kirkwood maintains a mathematical chance to claim third in the championship but faces a difficult path, needing favorable results combined with Dixon and Lundgaard finishing within a narrow points range. Meanwhile, Colton Herta and Marcus Armstrong continue their duel just outside the top five, with both drivers separated by only a single point after their 11th and 10th place finishes in Milwaukee, respectively.
Incidents and Shifts Affect Mid-Pack Standings
Will Power’s promising climb to sixth place was disrupted when Kyffin Simpson forced him into the wall, ending Power’s race prematurely. Despite this setback, Power remains within striking distance, just five points shy of his nearest rival. Felix Rosenqvist, who had been closely contending with Lundgaard, fell to ninth in the standings after a difficult race but remains in contention for top placement.
Scott McLaughlin’s third-place podium finish at Milwaukee moved him up to 10th in the standings, eight points ahead of David Malukas. This gap represents a significant hurdle for Malukas, making a climb toward Rosenqvist’s ninth place challenging but still possible.
Rasmussen and Ed Carpenter Racing Eye Top Ten Points Breakthrough
Christian Rasmussen’s first IndyCar victory brought renewed momentum as he inches closer to a top-ten finish in the championship points. His rise could deliver Ed Carpenter Racing its highest series placement since Josef Newgarden’s fourth place in 2016. Rasmussen’s teammate Alexander Rossi, who finished fourth in Milwaukee, helped strengthen that push by closing the gap to 13th in the standings, sitting just 11 points from 13th place.
Meanwhile, Josef Newgarden, a native of Nashville and longtime championship contender, faces the prospect of his worst season finish since 2014, with only one race remaining to avoid that outcome. His struggles reflect a tough year for the driver who has regularly been a podium presence in past seasons.
Leaders Circle Entry Battle Nears Resolution
The fight for the final spot in the Leaders Circle now appears decided, with Nolan Siegel holding a safe points lead despite an early crash in Milwaukee. The gap between him and next in line, Sting Ray Robb, stands at 33 points. Between them, PREMA Racing drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman lie in the standings but lack the necessary charters to qualify for the Leaders Circle, which is reserved for chartered entries only.
Preview of What’s Next at Nashville
As the series heads to Nashville, remaining championship battles center on the third to sixth positions, with several drivers poised to make pivotal moves. Christian Rasmussen aims to secure a top-ten finish for his team, while Newgarden looks to improve his tough season standing. Meanwhile, Alex Palou, having already clinched the 2025 title, is expected to pursue his ninth victory of the year on Nashville’s concrete oval, turning up the competitiveness in what promises to be another thrilling event in the IndyCar calendar.
“Had the Astor Trophy not been won, Palou might have pitted and thus erased any possible tire disparity.”
—Tom, IndyCar Writer
“If Lundgaard overtakes Dixon, a 2-3 championship finish for Arrow McLaren will ignite an offseason talking point – have they usurped Team Penske as the best Chevrolet-powered squad on the grid?”
—Tom, IndyCar Writer
“If he is able to jump both McLaughlin and Malukas, he could earn his Ed Carpenter Racing team its first finish in the top 10 of points since 2016, when Josef Newgarden placed fourth.”
—Tom, IndyCar Writer
“Good news, his nightmare season is only one more race.”
—Tom, IndyCar Writer
