After taking two weeks off, the final stretch of INDYCAR racing is finally here. The drivers will be taking on the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland to start things off. Portland serves as the first of five races that are happening this month in the lead up to the season finale at Laguna Seca in September.
Álex Palou will be looking to continue to extend his lead in the championship after winning in Nashville. However, Will Power has back-to-back wins in Portland. With a record of three wins over the past seven races at this track, Power could be on the hunt for win number four.
Portland International Raceway
The Portland International Raceway is a 1.964 mile circuit featuring 12 turns. The track is almost completely flat, forcing drivers to focus on mechanical grip and braking stability. The lap starts off with the track’s signature Shelton Chicane. After making their way down the front straight, Turn 2 is known for being a prime spot during the opening lap as well as a strong overtaking spot.
A majority of the track is made up of linked corners. The lap ends with a three-turn complex that leads back onto the frontstretch at the start-finish line. Due to Portland’s lack of elevation changes teams must find a way to balance between low-speed traction and high-speed stability. The mix of heavy braking zones and long-duration corners place an emphasis on tire management, fuel strategy and clean pit stops.
Portland is known for its multiple passing opportunities as well as a history of close finishes. The race is completely unpredictable and relies heavily on nearly perfect execution from all parts of the team.
Storylines To Lookout For
As previously mentioned, one storyline to follow along with this weekend is whether or not Will Power will take home a fourth win in Portland. All three of his wins came during his tenure as a Team Penske driver. Power has had two podium finishes since the start of the season and his race results have been improving over time.
One driver that’s had eyes on him all season long is David Malukas. His third place finish in Nashville after starting from last on the grid is one that demonstrated the amount of skill Malukas has. He’s had a strong season with multiple podium finishes and a second place standing in the championship. Malukas has been knocking on the door of securing his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win.
Following the recent announcement that Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will be purchasing a charter from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. With RLL downsizing, race results and overall performance matters now more than ever to see which driver will hold onto their spot and who will be let go. RLL’s race results will be something to keep an eye out for. Their drivers only have six more races left to prove why they should be the one to stay.
Portland Schedule
The schedule for the weekend is as follows. Please note that all times are in CEST.