It’s Race Day! Cooler temperatures and cloudy skies are on tap with only a slight chance of rain. The weather may help the cars that were fast on Friday and hurt yesterday’s fast qualifiers.

First, congratulations to Myles Rowe, who clinched the USF Pro Championship yesterday afternoon. Rowe is the first black driver to win a championship. He was the first driver in Roger Penske’ Race for Equality and Change Program. Rowe began in USF 2000 two years ago with Force Indy. He won his title driving for Pabst Racing.

I will have a more in depth piece on Rowe and IndyCar history next week.

Today’s schedule: All Times Pacific

9:30 AM	BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland	Gates Open
10:20 AM – 11:15 AM	INDY NXT	Race Peacock
11:40 AM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	Driver Introductions
12:30 PM	NTT INDYCAR SERIES	BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (110 laps) NBC, Peacock.
3:15 PM – 4:05 PM	USF Pro 2000	Race 3
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM	USF2000	Race 3

Here is the official starting lineup with penalties assessed and starting tire selections:

Final Practice Results

Does Graham Rahal break his victory drought today? Now that he has smashed the six year pole drought, I think it is time to erase the last remaining hole on his record.

Pit strategy is key to the race. The new early start zone implemented in 2022 made the race less interesting. iIhope for a more inriguing race today.

Alex Palou can clinch his second Indycar championship today by finishing the race with a lead of 49 points or more. If Scott Dixon wins and lead the most laps, Palou needs to finish fourth. Should the two Ganassi drivers end the day in the same spots they start the race, Palou is champion. He essentially gained a point when Dixon di not win the pole.

I will be back later tonight with a race warp up.