Palou Poised to Clinch Title as INDYCAR Series Returns to Laguna Seca
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES heads to the picturesque WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend, marking the close of one of the most action-packed months in the championship’s history. With races held each weekend in July, Sunday’s Java House Grand Prix of Monterey will be the fifth event, representing nearly 30% of the 2024 season already completed.
This marks the 28th time the series has raced on the challenging 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit nestled in the hills of Monterey. Historically, Team Penske has dominated at Laguna Seca, but reigning champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing broke that streak with a victory last year, joined on the podium by Colton Herta of Andretti Global and Alexander Rossi of Arrow McLaren.
Practice is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, broadcast on FS2, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Saturday will feature additional practice at 11:30 a.m. ET (FS1) followed by qualifying for the NTT P1 Award at 2:30 p.m. ET. The 95-lap race is set to go green live on FOX at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Palou’s Championship Lead Remains Strong
Despite a strong showing from rival Pato O’Ward at the recent Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Alex Palou remains firmly in control of the championship standings. O’Ward trimmed 30 points from Palou’s lead with his victory, while Palou finished 12th, but the reigning champion still holds a significant advantage with just four races remaining.
In fact, Palou is within striking distance of securing his third consecutive series title – and fourth in five years. A maximum points haul this weekend, combined with a less-than-stellar finish from O’Ward, could virtually clinch the championship for the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda driver. Winning the pole and leading the most laps would position Palou to receive the Astor Challenge Cup with only three races left on the schedule: August 10 at Portland International Raceway, August 24 at The Milwaukee Mile, and August 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Laguna Seca appears to be a particularly favorable track for Palou. In four previous starts, he has achieved a remarkable record of second, first, third, and first-place finishes, all with Chip Ganassi’s team. His 2022 victory at Laguna Seca was particularly dominant, winning by over 30 seconds – a performance considered one of the most convincing in the sport in the last decade. Palou’s success extends to Portland as well, where he has secured two wins, further bolstering his championship prospects.
O’Ward Maintains Momentum as Title Contender
Pato O’Ward, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, has emerged as Palou’s closest challenger, winning two of the last three races. While Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) and Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) remain mathematically eligible, they trail by 173 and 174 points respectively, making their chances of overtaking Palou slim.
O’Ward will need to replicate his Toronto performance for at least three more races to truly threaten Palou’s lead, a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, his recent success – winning multiple races for the second consecutive season and a potential career-best second-place finish in the standings – demonstrates his growing momentum.
Laguna Seca has historically been a more challenging track for O’Ward. He has consistently finished in the top 10 in his four starts, with a best result of fifth in 2021, resulting in an average finish of 7.5. A significant improvement will be necessary to apply meaningful pressure on Palou.
O’Ward and Herta: A Rivalry Forged Over Years
The competition between Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta extends far beyond the racetrack, representing a rivalry reminiscent of the storied connection between Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan.
Their paths first crossed in karting around 2010, and both progressed to INDY NXT by Firestone in 2017. Herta finished third in the championship with Andretti Steinbrenner Racing, while O’Ward participated in four races with Team Pelfrey. The following year, they became teammates at Andretti Autosport, with O’Ward ultimately claiming the championship title.
In September 2018, both drivers were introduced as Harding Racing drivers at Yankee Stadium, making their series debuts at Sonoma Raceway. O’Ward finished ninth, while Herta finished 20th. Sponsorship limitations meant only Herta secured a full-time ride with Harding Racing the following year, leading O’Ward to join Carlin.
Now, both drivers stand at nine career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victories, setting the stage for an intense battle to reach a milestone 10th win.
Rookie Battle Remains Tight
The 2025 Rookie of the Year competition is equally compelling, with PREMA Racing’s Robert Shwartzman and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Louis Foster tied in points with 159 each. Shwartzman currently holds the tiebreaker based on a higher race finish – ninth in the second race at Iowa Speedway – compared to Foster’s pair of 11th-place finishes.
Eight drivers have previously earned Rookie of the Year honors: Dixon (2001), Will Power (2006), Alexander Rossi (2016), Felix Rosenqvist (2019), Rinus VeeKay (2020), Scott McLaughlin (2021), Christian Lundgaard (2022), and Marcus Armstrong (2023). Notably, FOX broadcaster James Hinchcliffe won the award in 2011, while team owners Bobby Rahal (1982) and Tony Kanaan (1998) have also claimed the title.
Hybrid Technology Debuts at Laguna Seca
This weekend will mark the first time INDYCAR’s hybrid technology, introduced a year ago, will be utilized at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The hybrid assist, combined with the established Push to Pass system, provides drivers with over 120 additional horsepower, significantly impacting car handling.
Based on fuel mileage and tire degradation projections, the race is anticipated to be a three-stop event, with some teams potentially opting for four stops due to the relatively short pit road time.
