IndyCar touts positive gains as season heads to climax

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2019, file photo, Alexander Rossi smiles during a news conference for an IndyCar Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, in Long Pond, Pa. Josef Newgarden leads Rossi in the IndyCar standings heading into this weekend's finale at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

FILE - In this June 8, 2019, file photo, Josef Newgarden (2) battles Alexander Rossi (27) for position during an IndyCar auto race at Texas Motor Speedway, in Fort Worth, Texas. Newgarden can win his second IndyCar championship in three years in the season finale at historic Laguna Seca on Sunday. Newgarden leads Rossi in the standings. (AP Photo/Randy Holt, File)