The NTT IndyCar Series heads to the Pacific Northwest for the penultimate race of the season Sunday at Portland (Ore.) Int’l Raceway.
While current points leader Alex Palou can mathematically clinch the series title if everything goes his way, Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon has cut the 2021 IndyCar Series champion’s lead to 74 markers.
Here are some storylines to watch for this weekend:
Quick Facts
Most Wins: Michael Andretti (Three)
Distance: 110 laps/216.04 miles
Qualifying Record: Will Power, 57.2143 seconds, 123.577 mph, Sept. 1, 2018 (Set in Round 1 of knockout qualifying)
Palou will clinch the championship if he leads Dixon by 54 points or more at the end of the race.
It’s been 16 years since an IndyCar Series title was clinched before the final race of the season. The last time was when Sebastien Bourdais was crowned the 2007 Champ Car World Series champion following the next to last round at Surfers Paradise, Australia.
Is Palou Slipping?
Since Palou’s third straight win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July, the Spaniard has cooled off significantly.
While three podiums in the last six races is far from a disaster, Palou’s recent string of non-victories is beginning to catch up.
Over the last two races, Palou’s points lead over Dixon has shrunk from 101 points to 74.
Heading into Portland, Palou’s two-race stint at the 1.964-mile course includes winning the pole and the race in 2021, and a 12th-place finish last season.
Dixon has won two consecutive races and would likely need to run that streak to four to have a chance to surpass Palou in the standings. However, a Dixon victory would certainly make the title fight interesting heading into the finale at California’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Can Dixon Keep Winning?
If any driver was going to mount a comeback, it’d be Dixon.
The six-time IndyCar Series champion’s recent triumphs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Illinois’ World Wide Technology Raceway have put momentum on his side.
Putting on a fuel-saving masterclass last week at World Wide Technology Raceway, Dixon still finished more than 22 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Pato O’Ward.
The 43-year-old will need to be perfect over the final two weeks to remain in play for a record-tying seventh IndyCar title.
In four starts at Portland, Dixon has an average finish of 6.8, along with two consecutive third-place finishes.
Under The Radar
As the spotlight shines on the two championship contenders, there are plenty of drivers and teams looking to end the season on a high note.
The most recent winner at Portland, Scott McLaughlin, currently is fifth in the standings with a victory at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. The Team Penske driver is within striking distance of Pato O’Ward in fourth (three points behind) and teammate Josef Newgarden (14 points behind).
McLaughlin has quietly had a strong third season at the helm of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Roger Penske. The Kiwi hasn’t finished outside the top eight since the Indianapolis 500 in May.
Ahead of McLaughlin in points is O’Ward, who hasn’t put his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in victory lane through the first 15 races.
This season, the 24-year-old has a career-high seven podiums, including two in the last two weeks. While a victory has eluded him so far, Portland presents an opportunity to potentially break through.
O’Ward has an average finish of ninth in two starts at Portland, highlighted by a fourth-place finish last year.
Another driver to keep an eye on at Portland is Alexander Rossi. It’s been a refreshing season for the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner, who joined Arrow McLaren after an eight-year stint with Andretti Autosport.
Rossi only has one podium to his name this season, though he’s been consistent for the majority of the year. His last two weeks have resulted in top-five performances, giving the driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet a boost heading to Portland.
The 31-year-old hasn’t finished outside the top eight in four starts at the 12-turn road course. Rossi also has a best finish of second in 2021.