Will Power made a statement with his victory at the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, making the race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship even more thrilling. After this win, Power has reduced his deficit to series leader Alex Palou. With just three races remaining, all on oval tracks, Power’s performance becomes crucial.
Power’s recent success on oval tracks has been impressive. His team, Penske, has won all four oval races this season, including Power’s victory at Iowa Speedway and Josef Newgarden’s wins at the Indianapolis 500 and World Wide Technology Raceway. Power’s track record on ovals includes ten career victories, while Palou, who has never raced at Milwaukee Mile, has yet to win on these tracks.
In terms of consistency, Alex Palou remains a strong contender. Despite finishing second at Portland and being 9.8 seconds behind Power, Palou scored 41 points and only lost 12 to Power. His impressive record includes 16 podium finishes in the past 30 races and only two non-top 10 finishes in the past 36 races. If Palou maintains this form, he could secure his third series title in four years, joining Dario Franchitti as the only other driver to win back-to-back titles.
Scott Dixon’s unfortunate crash on the opening lap of the Portland race was a rare occurrence in his illustrious career. Dixon has only failed to complete the first lap twice in 399 career starts, showcasing his remarkable consistency. Despite this setback, his career stats remain exceptional, with a high percentage of races reaching at least the halfway point.
On the podium at Portland, Power was joined by Alex Palou and Josef Newgarden. Power’s win was significant, especially with Palou and Newgarden, both two-time series champions, finishing behind him. Combined, these three drivers have amassed an impressive 86 series wins, with Power claiming his 44th win, ranking fourth all-time. Palou has 11 wins, and Newgarden has 31, tied for 10th with other legends.
Other drivers also made notable contributions. Colton Herta finished fourth despite a penalty, maintaining his title challenge. Marcus Armstrong, with Chip Ganassi Racing, secured fifth place, his second in three races. Scott McLaughlin drove from 20th to 7th, keeping himself in contention. Santino Ferrucci and Graham Rahal rounded out the top 10 with strong performances, despite various challenges during the race.
