Alex Palou Leads IndyCar Championship Heading into Portland

Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou, piloting a Honda-powered entry, holds an 83-point lead in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship as the series heads to the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland. The race, scheduled for Sunday, August 9, 2026, will be broadcast live on Fox at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET, marking a critical event in the season's final stretch.

Palou's Championship Pursuit

Alex Palou enters the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland with significant momentum, having secured five victories this season. His consistent performance has resulted in an average finish of 5.833, placing him at the top of the championship standings.

The Spanish driver is seeking his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, which would be his fourth consecutive title. While clinching the championship at Portland International Raceway is not mathematically possible this year, Palou has previously secured titles at this venue in both 2023 and 2025, underscoring his strong track record there.

Key Contenders and Honda's Track Record

Beyond Palou, Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood has also demonstrated strong consistency throughout the 2026 season. Kirkwood, with one victory, boasts the most top 10 finishes in the series, missing the top 10 only once in 12 races, leading to an average finish of 6th. He currently sits third in the championship, just four points behind second place.

Honda-powered teams and drivers have a notable history of success at Portland International Raceway. Since the series returned to the track in 2018, Honda has claimed three victories, including Alex Palou's wins in 2021 and 2023, and a podium sweep led by Takuma Sato in 2018. Earlier wins for Honda at Portland include Alex Zanardi in 1996 and 1998, and Gil de Ferran in 1999 and 2000, with multiple Honda podium sweeps in those years.

The Season's Final Sprint

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is concluding its 2026 season with an intense schedule, featuring six races packed into five weeks. This busy period begins with the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland and includes events across North America.

The remaining calendar introduces two new tracks, Markham and Washington D.C., and features a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile. The championship will culminate with the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the first weekend of September.

The 2026 Honda IndyCar lineup includes notable drivers such as Will Power, Scott Dixon, and Marcus Ericsson, alongside rookies Dennis Hauger and Mick Schumacher, competing for various Honda-supported teams like Andretti Global, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES enters its final races, the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland represents a key moment for Alex Palou to solidify his championship lead. Fans can follow the action live on Fox, with practice and qualifying sessions also available on FS1, as the 2026 season approaches its dramatic conclusion.