Alex Palou
FILE - In this May 20, 2021, file photo, Alex Palou, of Spain, waits to drive during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The bad news for Alex Palou is that he’s never raced before at Laguna Seca, the penultimate race in the IndyCar championship. The good news? Those trying to wrest the title away from Palou don’t have much experience, either. Laguna Seca only returned to the IndyCar schedule in 2019 and then was canceled last year during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
O'Ward says IndyCar championship is Alex Palou's to lose

By Jenna Fryer 3 hrs ago

Martin Truex Jr., celebrates winning the NASCAR Cup series auto race in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
AUTO RACING: Gibbs drivers surge as NASCAR goes to Bristol

By The Associated Press Sep. 15, 2021 08:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 14, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car following practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. When a pair of poor finishes cost Alex Palou the IndyCar points lead, the second-year driver found teammate Johnson for a pair of pep talks. Johnson may be an IndyCar rookie on the track, but the intangibles he brings to Chip Ganassi Racing as a seven-time NASCAR champion are invaluable. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Column: Johnson's leadership steadies Palou for title fight

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 13, 2021 11:01 AM EDT

Alex Palou, center, celebrates his third IndyCar win of the season on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Ore. Palou’s win moved him back atop the IndyCar championship standings with two races remaining. Alexander Rossi finished second and Scott Dixon, teammates with Palou at Chip Ganassi Racing, finished third. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Alex Palou recovers in Portland for 3rd win and IndyCar lead

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 12, 2021 06:02 PM EDT

Driver Alex Palou, front right, poses by his car and team after winning the first pole of his career during qualifying for Sunday's IndyCar auto race, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Palou takes pole at Portland, eyes IndyCar points lead

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 11, 2021 05:43 PM EDT

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)
IndyCar surges out west for 3-race championship close

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 10, 2021 02:21 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin looks at the trophy after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/John Amis)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR's playoffs move to Richmond

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2021 04:47 PM EDT

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)
Palou looks ahead at reclaiming IndyCar championship lead

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 25, 2021 04:04 PM EDT

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)
Erratic driving upends IndyCar's championship race

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 22, 2021 12:04 PM EDT

Cars race under the lights during an IndyCar auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
IndyCar title race flips to O'Ward in wild race at Gateway

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 21, 2021 08:30 PM EDT

FILE - Romain Grosjean competes during an IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, in this Sunday, July 4, 2021, file photo. Former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean, who moved to IndyCar this year but said he'd only race the road and street courses, has fallen in love with the series and relented on his opposition to ovals. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar, File)
IndyCar's final stretch begins with last oval race of year

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 20, 2021 01:29 PM EDT

AJ Allmendinger celebrates after winning a NASCAR Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Rob Baker)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR's top series head to Michigan oval

By The Associated Press Aug. 18, 2021 12:30 PM EDT

El australiano Will Power conduce su coche en una curva en el Gran Premio de Indianapolis de IndyCar el sábado, 14 de octubre del 2021. (AP Foto/Michael Conroy)
Power puts Penske back on track with another Indy victory

By Michael Marot Aug. 14, 2021 03:24 PM EDT

Kyle Larson celebrates winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR, IndyCar head to Indianapolis

By The Associated Press Aug. 11, 2021 10:53 AM EDT

Fans watch the from the grandstands during the IndyCar Music City Grand Prix auto race Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Harrison McClary)
Ericsson soars to victory in inaugural Music City Grand Prix

By Dan Gelston Aug. 08, 2021 08:44 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 23, 2021, file photo, Colton Herta looks at his qualifying speed during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Herta stamped himself as the driver to beat in the inaugural IndyCar Music City Grand Prix, winning the pole Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, after he was fastest in both practice sessions. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Herta wins pole in dominant outing through Nashville

By Dan Gelston Aug. 07, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 4, 2021 file photo, Josef Newgarden celebrates in victory lane after winning an IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Newgarden is the toast of Nashville. The Tennessee native has hustled from event to event to promote the IndyCar race held on the city streets. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar, File)
Palou, O'Ward resume IndyCar title battle in Nashville

By Dan Gelston Aug. 07, 2021 11:41 AM EDT

Six- time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon chats with the media before the start of practice of the IndyCar auto race, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston)
IndyCar may have a hit on its hands on Nashville streets

By Dan Gelston Aug. 06, 2021 06:31 PM EDT

IndyCar driver and Tennessee native Josef Newgarden prepares to play in his charity ping pong tournament, Thursday Aug. 5, 2021 at Pins Mechanical Company in Nashville, Tenn. Newgarden won the tournament and hopes to take home a bigger trophy when IndyCar races Sunday through downtown Nashville. (AP Photo/Daniel Gelston)
Home, speed, home: Newgarden set to tame Nashville streets

By Dan Gelston Aug. 06, 2021 11:35 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 15, 2021, file photo, Jimmie Johnson drives through a turn during the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Johnson is hopeful of testing in August at Homestead-Miami Speedway as part of a path toward running in the Indianapolis 500 in 2022. The seven-time NASCAR champion jumped this season to IndyCar and has competed in seven races for team owner Chip Ganassi.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR playoff race down to the nitty gritty

By The Associated Press Aug. 04, 2021 02:31 PM EDT