Hope you enjoyed the break, IndyCar roars back to the track with 6 races in 5 weeks, starting here in Portland! The circuit returned in 2018 and has been the subject of interesting racing, drama, controversy and nothing short of thrilling.
The standings
Alex Palou now holds an 83-point lead over the chasing pack, with Malukas, Kirkwood and Lundgaard all in a massive scrap for p2. 6 races left, will be a tall order to catch the spanish legend but anything is possible especially with the oval doubleheader in Milwaukee.
Malukas sits in 2nd after an inspired drive in Nashville, hoping he brings that momentum into these final races.
Kirkwod sits at -87 to the lead, I’m not sure what to make of him, besides street courses he seems to be just there, hoping for some better signs before the race in DC.
Lundgaard struggled massively in Nashville, all of McLaren did. I fully expect a bounce back this weekend but one wonders sitting at -104 with two more ovals to come, is it too little too late for the dane? Or will he find another gear and prove his position on the grid, as he searches for a job in 2027.
My Pick to win: Christian Lundgaard
I fully expect it to be a straight fight between Palou, Lundgaard and Malukas, they have been class of the field sitting 1-2-3 in road points and for good reason. Palou does have two wins here but Lundgaard has been having a career year, which gives him the edge in my opinion and in my defence the dane was 2nd here a year ago.
A Darkhorse: Will Power
The man himself said to watch out for him in the 2nd half of this year, winning the last two races at Portland counts for a lot as well but can he pull off the victory for Andretti? Will be tough this isn’t the teams best style of circuit.
Pressure is on: Felix Rosenqvist
Not so much for this race but for the next few, Fro has had a habit of doing really well and then crumbling late on, I am intrigued to see if he can keep up the pace as we approach the last races of 2026 and he prepares to re-unite with McLaren and the papaya family
Steer clear: Josef Newgarden
The Nashville native has just one podium at Portland and has never been in the mix, his non-oval results have also been less than stellar this season, similar can be said for teammate McLaughlin but he did do a pole to win here in 2022.
written by Carlos Faria // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
