IndyCar surges out west for 3-race championship close

Josef Newgarden (2) looks up during the national anthem before the start an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

FILE - Pato O'Ward, of Mexico, smiles after winning the pole for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, file photo. O'Ward finished second and third at Gateway last season when IndyCar ran a doubleheader on the 1.25-mile oval, which he called his best weekend of 2020. He sliced Alex Palou's points lead in half last weekend and expects to pounce again Saturday night, Aug. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Josef Newgarden celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Pato O'Ward (5) stands next to his car before the start an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, file photo, Alex Palou, second from left, of Spain, talks with a crew member before a practice session for a IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. IndyCar is on a two-week break, but the 24-year-old Palou has no plans to rest as he tries to reclaim his spot atop the championship standings. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)