The NTT IndyCar Series heads to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington, Ohio for a Fourth of July weekend of fast-paced road course action.
Mid-Ohio has delivered plenty of parity as of late, with eight different winners in the last nine races on the 2.258-mile circuit.
As the series embarks on its ninth race of the season, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou has a commanding 74-point advantage over teammate Marcus Ericsson after winning three of the last four races.
Here are some of the storylines to watch this weekend.
Quick Facts:
Most Mid-Ohio Wins: Scott Dixon (6)
Qualifying Lap Record: Simon Pagenaud, 1:03.8700, 127.271 mph, July 30, 2016
Dixon will attempt to make his 314th consecutive start, the second-longest streak in IndyCar Series history.
Dixon’s Playground
When the series makes the annual trip to Ohio, Dixon is always considered one of the favorites to take home the winner’s trophy.
Afterall, the Kiwi has the most wins by any driver on the circuit (six). What’s even more astounding is Dixon has finished in the top five in 13 of his 19 at Mid-Ohio starts.
The six-time champion has flown under the radar all season, though, he’s tied with Pato O’Ward for fourth in points with five consecutive top-seven finishes.
Though, he’s a hefty 98 points behind Palou, there’s no better place for Dixon to begin a charge than Mid-Ohio.
Kirkwood A Sleeper?
Kyle Kirkwood is making the most of his first season aboard an Andretti Autosport Honda, as he won Grand Prix of Long Beach (Calif.) and is 10th in points.
While he only has one previous start at Mid-Ohio in an Indy Car, Kirkwood’s prowess in Ohio is nothing short of decorated.
Kirkwood won eight of nine development series starts at Mid-Ohio between 2018-’21.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Kirkwood when it comes to consistency, though, the 24-year-old has reeled off consecutive top-10 finishes heading into this weekend.
Penske’s Perfection
Dixon may be the winningest driver at Mid-Ohio, but Team Penske has the most wins by one team.
After Scott McLaughlin’s victory in last year’s event, all three of the team’s drivers have won at least once at the 13-turn course.
Will Power’s lone win came in the second race in 2020. Power boasts 10 top-five finishes in his 15 starts at Mid-Ohio, along with five poles.
The reigning series champion has struggled to find consistency after a dismal month of May and is eighth in points. Mid-Ohio may be what the doctor ordered for the Australian wheelman.
Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden holds two victories at the track, including in 2017 when he claimed his first of two IndyCar Series championships.
A runner-up finish at Wisconsin’s Road America road course may be a sign of things to come for Newgarden, who struggled in Detroit a week after his Indy 500 breakthrough.