Today’s schedule. Times are Pacific

8:30 AM	BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland	Gates Open
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM	USF2000	Practice
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM	USF Pro 2000	Practice
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM	U.S. Touring Car Championship	Practice 1
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM	USF2000	Qualifying
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM	USF Pro 2000	Qualifying
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Autograph Session in SpeedZone
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM	U.S. Touring Car Championship	Practice 2
1:55 PM – 2:40 PM	INDY NXT	Practice 1
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Practice 1 Peacock
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM	USF2000	Race 1
5:30 PM – 6:20 PM	USF Pro 2000	Race 1
6:35 PM – 7:05 PM	U.S. Touring Car Championship	Qualifying

Good morning from Portland. Yesterday was a gloomy, rainy day, but chances of rain over these next three days are diminishing. With the championship pretty much decided, it would seem there is little of interest to look for in Sunday’s 110 lap race. Some intrigue still remains, and part of it brings attention to the bottom of the grid. A former champion has a season win streak on the line, and another possible 2024 full timer gets his first chance to show what he can do.\

Power’s Streak on the Line

Scott Dixon saved his string of winning at least one race for 19 straight years by taking the checkered flag at the Gallagher Grand Prix. He added the Bommarito 500 for good measure last weekend, dominating the field.

Will Power has won at least one race every year for 16 straight seasons. 2023 has not seen Power in Victory Circle. With two races to go, we may see a desperate Power with a sense of urgency. Last year he won just oine race on the way to the title.

Palou’s Way to the Cup

Alex Palou can clinch the championship by finishing fifth or higher Sunday, no matter what Scott Dixon does. Dixon would have to win maxiumm points in both remaining races (he won’t) to have a chance.

Palou has won at Portland before, and I think he would like nothing better to cap his second title with a victory.

Leaders’ Circle on the Line

Up for grabs in the final two weekends is a spot in the Leaders’ circle, wotrth almost 1 million dollars to a team.

Herev are the current standings. The fourth Ganassi car, which is ineleigibke for the money, holds one of the top 22 spots, so 23rd place is the actual cutoff.

Vips Debut

Yuri Vips will make his Indycar debut in the number 30 car for RLL this weekend. Vips is a possible candidate to drive that car full time in 2024. He has essentially a two race tryout.

I understand giving someone a tryout, but the 30 is on the cusp of the leaders’ circle. I’d rather have someone with experience in the car here.

Race Notes

Not Indycar exactly, but news yesterday that the USF championships will switch to Continental Tire in 2024. Cooper tire had been the tire supplier for the Junior series for so long that I just thought it was part of the series name. Thanks to Cooper Tires for providing a great tire for the kids all these years.

I find it hard to believe it appears probable that Pato O’Ward, and the entire Arrow McLaren team will go winless this season. O’Ward was in a position to win at least three races early in the year, but the fickle racing gods intervened.

Last year Indycar moved the start zone back to the exit of the final turn. While it prevented the usual first lap mess in the Festival Curves, it made for a rather dull race.