After a street fight in Toronto that saw Christian Lundgaard score his first series victory, the NTT IndyCar Series returns to the U.S. for a doubleheader weekend at Iowa Speedway.
The 0.894-mile oval presents fast-paced, side-by-side action and little room for error with two opportunities to score points available. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou survived Honda Indy Toronto with a runner-up result, padding his points lead to 117 markers over teammate and six-time champion Scott Dixon.
Double the points means there’s plenty of storylines to watch this weekend.
Quick Facts
Most Iowa wins: Josef Newgarden (4)
Qualifying Lap Record: Helio Castroneves, 17.2283 seconds, 186.809 mph, July 11, 2014
Most Lead Changes: 16, June 20, 2010
Dixon will attempt to make his 316th and 317th consecutive start, the second-longest streak in IndyCar Series history. Tony Kanaan holds the record with 318 consecutive starts.
Ed Carpenter will attempt to make his 200th career start in Sunday’s Hy-Vee One Step 250.
Palou’s Time To Falter?
It’s been well documented that Palou has been nearly unstoppable since the month of May arrived. After ripping off three consecutive victories, the driver of the No. 10 Honda backed up his winning drives with a stellar second-place run in Toronto, despite the front nose of his car on by a thread during the closing laps.
While Palou continues to have the hot hand, a snag in his title hopes may hinge on his performance in Iowa. In four previous starts at the bullring-style oval, the Spaniard hasn’t finished in the top five.
A best result of sixth in race one last year lifts his 11th-place average finish. In every start at Iowa, Palou has finished one-lap down.
Newgarden’s Playground
The favorite heading to Iowa is Newgarden, and for good reason. Newgarden has won both oval races this season, including the Indianapolis 500.
Along with his perfect oval record this season, the 32-year-old has been masterful at Iowa. While his four victories at Iowa leads all active drivers, he also boasts 1,506 laps led, more than double the amount of the next closest driver (Castroneves, 644). Newgarden won one of the two races at Iowa last year.
Currently 126 points behind points leader Palou in third, Newgarden’s title chase could take a huge step forward with strong runs this weekend.
Meyer Shank Racing Resurgence?
If any team needs a shot in the arm, it’s Meyer Shank Racing. Expectations were high for the two-car team of Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud, especially with their winning track record in years past.
With both drivers lurking around 20th in the standings, it’s been a forgetful year. In addition, Pagenaud’s wicked crash during practice July 1 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has kept the former IndyCar champion out of the cockpit ever since.
Conor Daly will be at the helm of Pagenaud’s No. 60 Honda in Iowa. Despite a season filled with lows, a trip to Iowa may provide a much-needed reset for the team.
For Castroneves, a victory, two poles and an average finish of 9.4 in 13 previous starts should give the four-time Indy 500 winner optimism about his chances on the Iowa oval.
Daly, who’s been known to shine on ovals throughout his IndyCar career, heads to Iowa with three consecutive third-place starts, along with a pole in race one in 2020.
While results have been lacking for the 31-year-old (best finish of eighth in 2020 race one), having Castroneves as a teammate may be the spark Daly needs to put a full race together.
Will There Be An O’Ward Breakthrough?
It’s difficult to believe Pato O’Ward is winless through 10 races this season. Two runner-up finishes to start the year in the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Grand Prix and Texas Motor Speedway could’ve been victories had luck been on the Arrow McLaren driver’s side.
Two additional podiums at the Indy Grand Prix and Road America (Wis.) highlight O’Ward’s season. Fifth in points, a championship run feels like a stretch (143 points behind), especially with Palou’s recent tear.
Though two shots at Iowa glory may be O’Ward’s key to regaining title form. Last season, the 24-year-old finished runner-up to Newgarden in race one, then backed up his performance with a victory in race two.