Photo by Kyle McInnes

Colton Herta wins his first oval race, but the spotlight falls to Alex Palou, who secured his third Indycar series title and his second straight. Palou is the first back to champion since Dario Franchitti in 2011 and 2012.

The winner of the final race of the season, when it is someone other than the series champion, gets a laurel and hearty handshake, then gives way to the series champion.

The championship came down to a seat belt issues for Will Power, who pulled into the pits after five laps. Power fell back to seventh after starting third. What a way to lose a shot at the title. How does a seat belt come loose? It will remain an unsolved mystery in the annals of how a title was lost.

I am completely out of adjectives for Alex Palou. Relegated to 24th starting position with a penalty for an engine change, he passed seven cars in the first three laps. While Power’s misfortune assured him the title early in the race, he kept charging, running as high as third during pit cycles. Palou is halfway to tying Scott Dixon for the number of IndyCar titles. Unreal.

The race was better than I expected. Good racing was followed by processional periods, and the cars got strung out in the middle of the race, but the addition of a tire option kept the race intriguing. The way the cautions fell caused for some late stops.

Palou said that he thinks the alternate tires on ovals helps the racing. “Cars are at different speeds, which makes the racing more fun.,” he said.

Notes

David Malukas drove a heck of a race today, and his time to win an oval will come, maybe next year. Like Conor Daly, malukas came to Meyer Shank Racing in mid season and lifted the 66 into the Leaders’ Circle.

Juncos Hollinger Racing should do everything possible to keep Conor Daly. Mired below the Leaders’ circle cut line, the team released Agustin Canapino with five races to go. Daly lifted the team into the million dollar club with a third place at Milwaukee and a 10th place today.

Some odd stats for the season-

Will Power failed to win a pole for the first time since 2008.

Graham Rahal did not have a fifth place or higher finish for the first time in his career.

For just the second time I can remember every race winner won multiple races. All the victories were shared among just seven drivers from four teams.

I believe IndyCar has found a new home for the season finale. It is proper to finish this series on a high speed oval. The only thing different I would do is make this a night race.

I want to thank everyone who followed along this final weekend and all season. I will have a weekend wrap up tomorrow and a season review later next week.