As this somewhat unusual season winds down, IndyCar is still in search of its fifth winner of the year, and the points leader could be on is way to tie or better two of the sport’s all time greats.

Portland International Raceway has seen some classic finishes but lately has been known for its not so classic starts in turn1, where chaos has reigned in five of the last six races.

Alex Palou may have the Astor Cup all but clinched, but There are still some things to be decided as the IndyCar series enters its final three races of the 2025 campaign.

Palou is very likely to clinch the title with two races to go on Sunday; He doesn’t have to win this weekend in order to leave Portland as a four time series champion. Palou has won eight times in 2025; one more win will tie him with Marion Andretti, who had 9 wins in 1969. Two more victories and he joins A. J. Foyt and Al Unser, Sr., who had 10 wins in 1964 and 1970 respectively.

Although first place is virtually wrapped up, second is still not settled. Pato O’Ward currently is the runner-up, but he leads Scott Dixon by77 points, and Kyle Kirkwood by 112. Should Dixon and Kirkwood tie, Kirkwood has the tie breaker with 3 wins to Dixon’s single victory.

Rookie of the Year

Louis Foster and Robert Shwartzman are locke3d in a tight battle for top rookie honors. Foster holds a four point lead over Shwartzman. Each driver has a pole.

Foster has become a consistent qualifier, and Shwartzman has had some good finishes.

I think Foster will end up with the rookie title after a good showing on Sunday.

For the race, it is hard not to pick Palou to win, but I am going with Christian Lundgaard.

Notes

IndyCar’s broadcast deal with FOX has been extended until 2030. I bele3ive this is a separate thing from the 33% purchase of Penske Entertainment stock announced earlier.

David Malukas will be in Gallagher livery this weekend, fueling more speculation that we will see him in the number 12 car in 2026. Gallagher has been a long time Penske sponsor which has been on Team Penske cars a few times each year.

A 2026 schedule was posted on X Wednesday afternoon. I t was from a parody account and is not accurate in any way. I hearthat6 a schedule is close, but not out yet.

Schedule change: On Saturday, IndyCar final practice (25minutes) has been moved to 7:32 Eastern time and will now be on FS1.

IndyNXT qualifying will follow at 8:30 Eastern on FS2.

The rest of the schedule remains the same for now.

Upfdated schedule: