Alex Palou will ride the into the californian sunset as a 5x series champion but this weekend still carries immense weight. Welcome to a fan and driver favourite, Laguna Seca!! It’s always a special time when we return to this iconic circuit and the amazing atmosphere we get here.
The standings
Alex Palou is champion, but the battle for 2nd is incredible with 3 drivers separated by 4 points, it’ll be a nail-bitter finish and we’ll all here for it! Beyond this, Veekay is hoping to remain top 10 in points which would be a monumental achievement in the JHR car as he searches for better opportunities elsewhere!
The Final Chapter with Chip Ganassi Racing
Scott Dixon is preparing for his final race weekend with Chip Ganassi Racing, bringing one of the most successful partnerships in IndyCar history to an end at Laguna Seca. After joining Ganassi in 2002, Dixon has spent 25 seasons with the organization, winning six championships and 58 races in its colors. His final laps in the iconic No. 9 Honda will mark the end of an extraordinary era before he begins a new chapter with Arrow McLaren in 2027.
Other storylines
The season will come to a close which means one last gasp for many of 2026’s most talk about stories. Does Will Power emerge victorious year 1 with Andretti? When will Lil Dave finally win an IndyCar race? Dixon aims to end his CGR career on a high, and continue 2 decade long win streak. There is so much more to this race, even Palou the runaway favourite has the road championship to fight Lundgaard for whilst he runs a special throwback to the late Alex Zanardi’s lightning bolt car.
My Pick to win: Alex Palou
It has been a kinda unspoken rule to not pick the surgeon, but he is a Laguna Seca master with the championship wrapped up and in a throwback fan favourite livery. He has won from pole the last 2 years and with his road success it’s hard to bet against him.
A Darkhorse: Romain Grosjean
The phoenix has always gone well here, podium finish his rookie year and is 1 spot short of having top 10 & fast 12 in every start. His podium in Markham was memorable and in what may be his final IndyCar start he may well do it again
Pressure is on: David Malukas
Lil Dave has been on a skid since Nashville and it sucks to watch because for much of the season he has been far and away the best Penske driver. He is on half a dozen runner up finishes, here’s hoping he can get the monkey off his back and win or be in contention this weekend
Steer clear: Kyle Kirkwood
His results at Laguna Seca haven’t been anything to write home about finishing 21st, 25th, 5th and 16th. Andretti has been getting better at road courses but historically it’ll be a Will Power flagship run this weekend
written by Carlos Faria // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
