Portland, USA – While Will Power secured a long-awaited victory for Team Penske at the IndyCar series race at Portland International Raceway on Sunday, the day truly belonged to Alex Palou. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver clinched his fourth IndyCar Series championship in the last five seasons with a third-place finish, cementing his place among the sport’s legends.
Palou’s Dominant Season Culminates Early
Palou entered the Portland race with a significant 121-point lead over his sole championship contender, Pato O’Ward. He needed to maintain a lead of at least 108 points to seal the Astor Cup. The championship battle was effectively decided just 22 laps into the race when O’Ward encountered an electronic issue, forcing an unscheduled pit stop in his Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. The lengthy delay dropped O’Ward nine laps behind the leaders, and he ultimately finished a distant 25th, 10 laps down.
Despite knowing the title was secured, the 28-year-old Spaniard continued to race aggressively in the final laps, showcasing his relentless competitive spirit. This championship marks Palou’s third consecutive title, tying him with legends Dario Franchitti (2009-11), Sebastien Bourdais (2004-07), and Ted Horn (1946-48). His four overall championships place him third on the all-time list, trailing only A.J. Foyt (seven) and Scott Dixon (six).
Power’s Resurgent Win and Records in Sight
The race itself saw Will Power cross the finish line first, securing Team Penske’s first victory of the 2025 season. This win, the 45th of Power’s career, comes at a crucial time, ending a long drought for the team and for the driver who is in a contract year. Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren finished second, 1.5388 seconds behind Power.
Palou, who has already amassed eight victories in 2025, still has two races remaining in the season (Milwaukee Mile and Nashville Superspeedway) to potentially tie the IndyCar record for most victories in a season, currently held by A.J. Foyt (1964) and Al Unser (1970) with 10 wins each.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Historic Achievement
Chip Ganassi Racing’s 2025 triumph marks their 17th series championship, tying them with Team Penske for the most championships in IndyCar Series history. This accomplishment underscores the team’s sustained excellence and Palou’s pivotal role in their recent successes.
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