Palou seals fourth IndyCar title

Palou clinches the 2025 IndyCar championship as Pato O'Ward suffers an early power loss in Portland.

Palou seals fourth IndyCar title after O'Ward power loss

Alex Palou sealed a fourth IndyCar championship after Pato O’Ward’s Arrow McLaren suffered power loss early in the Portland round. O’Ward started from pole after an engine penalty for teammate Christian Lundgaard and led the early stages, but a wiring loom and a faulty Direct Injection box forced him into the pits on lap 22. Palou, who had been fourth, stayed out and then pursued a late duel that sealed the title as the field fell away behind him.

Palou’s latest crown adds to eight race wins this season, including the Indianapolis 500, and places him among a small group to win three straight IndyCar titles across different teams. O’Ward heads toward Milwaukee still aiming for a career best second in the standings, while Lundgaard’s pole and McLaren’s improved pace mark a clear step forward for Arrow McLaren this season. The Portland result also shines a light on Will Power who claimed a second win in a row at Portland and shows how strategy and track position can decide a championship on a single day.

Palou’s championship reinforces a trend in IndyCar where consistency and smart race management matter as much as outright speed. The result stretches Palou’s hold on the title race and tightens the narrative around his dominance this era, even as McLaren shows signs of catching up to Ganassi in key circuits.

The episode also highlights the evolving balance of power in the sport. McLaren’s improved performance at Portland and Laguna Seca signals a more competitive field that could push Ganassi and others to adapt in 2026. For fans, the finish underscores how a single mechanical hiccup or pit strategy twist can alter a championship picture in an instant.

Highlights

The season rolls on with Palou further cementing his place among IndyCar’s greats.