There are only three races left before a NTT IndyCar Series champion is crowned at California’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou holds a 101-point advantage over teammate and six-time champion Scott Dixon.
While Palou’s lead is more than comfortable, the final oval race of the season this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois could make or break his title chances.
Here are some of the storylines to watch for at the 1.25-mile track this weekend:
Quick Facts
Most Wins: Josef Newgarden (Four)
Distance: 260 laps / 325 miles
Qualifying Record: Will Power, 23.7206, 189.709 mph, Aug. 25. 2017
There are six drivers mathematically eligible for the IndyCar Series championship: Palou, Dixon, Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Pato O’Ward and Marcus Ericsson.
Any driver who trails the points leader by more than 108 points after Sunday’s race will be eliminated from contention.
Dixon or Newgarden’s Final Shot?
With his win two weeks ago at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Dixon kept his title hopes alive, at least for another week.
In order to match Palou’s blistering pace, he’ll likely need to win the final three races and hope Palou struggles.
Dixon has three podium results at WWTR, including a win in the first race of a doubleheader in 2020.
On the flip side, reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Newgarden is in a similar scenario to Dixon. It was a heartbreaking result at the Indy Road Course for Newgarden, who was involved in an early accident, resulting in a 25th-place finish.
That dropped the Team Penske driver from 84 points behind Palou to 105. On the cusp of title elimination, the winningest driver at Gateway will need to put his oval heroics to good use.
Fortunately, for the Tennessee native, he’s won every oval race this season, including the Iowa Speedway doubleheader weekend, Texas Motor Speedway and Indy.
A Potential Sato Upset?
When oval racing rolls around, Takuma Sato shines a little brighter.
Running an oval-only schedule for Chip Ganassi Racing this season, the two-time Indy 500 winner can solely focus on winning races without the consequences of points racing.
Sato won at WWTR in 2019 and has five consecutive top-nine finishes there.
This season has been feast or famine for Sato, who has two top-10 finishes along with two finishes outside the top 20. Without any confirmed plans for next season, another strong showing could make a difference in securing a ride.
Malukas Looks To Build
Last year’s rookie of the year runner-up David Malukas had the ride of his life at WWTR last season.
Wheeling his No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda from the 12th starting position, Malukas bullied his way up to second by race’s end, nearly challenging eventual winner Newgarden.
It’s been a tumultuous season for the 21-year-old, as he is 17th in the standings.
A fourth place finish at Texas, tied in with two strong runs at Iowa Speedway this year may be a positive sign of what’s to come for Malukas on Sunday evening.
