Photo by Brad Proctor

Today’s scheduleL All times Pacific

10 am- IndyCar warmup FS!

11 am Indy NXT race FS1

1 pm- IndyCar race-FOX

1:27 pm- Green flag

Good Race Day morning from Portland. Cooler temperatures are in store with a predicted green flag reading of 75 degrees. The Only Bulls Grand Prix will determine how the rest of the season plays out for the championship.

An Alex Palou win pretty much means game over as far as anyone else’s title hopes. One of Palou’s three closest pursuers must finish ahead of the four time champion. Of those drivers, Kyle Kirkwood is in the best position to do that. Kirkwood starts seventh, the highest among the three drivers in pursuit of Palou. David Malukas will roll off 15th after his penalty is assessed, and Christian Lundgaard starts 25th after a hybrid issue and penalty in qualifying.

Portland is a track position race, and pit strategy is crucial. Caution flags could be few and far between after whatever chaos occurs in turn 1 of the opening lap. I expect a three stop race today.

Felix Rosenqvist has a chance to finally convert a pole position into a race victory. He nearly accomplished the feat in long Beach in April, but a pit stop glitch on the last stop allowed Palou to get ahead of him.

I am looking at the winner coming from row 2 today. Will Power will continue his Portland dominance today.

I’ll be back before the race with warm up results and starting tire selections.