Colton Herta
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 21 hrs ago

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

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

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

Pato O'Ward, of Mexico, reacts after winning the pole for an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
O'Ward works overtime to grab pole position in Indianapolis

By Michael Marot Aug. 13, 2021 08:46 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

FILE - The Ferrari flag is unfurled during a display prior to the Formula One Grand Prix of Tuscany, at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, in this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, file photo. Despite the challenges, the top auto manufacturers still see motorsports as an effective marketing tool for their cars. (Jennifer Lorenzini, Pool via AP)
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday still a goal for automakers

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 10, 2021 12:41 PM EDT

First place winner Marcus Ericsson, center, is flanked by second place winner Scott Dixon, right, and third place winner James Hinchcliffe as they hoist their trophies in the air in Victory Circle at the IndyCar Music City Grand Prix auto race Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Harrison McClary)
Music City launches a smash hit event in IndyCar return

By Dan Gelston Aug. 09, 2021 12:14 PM 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

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

Winless Hunter-Reay has options outside Andretti for 2022

By Dan Gelston Aug. 04, 2021 02:36 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ryan Hunter-Reay had to leave his favorite Miami Dolphins jersey behind and try on a new one from the Tennessee Titans once his buddy...

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

Four-time Indianapolis 500 auto race winner and NTT Indy Car series car owner A.J. Foyt listens while winner of this year's Indy 500, Helio Castroneves, speaks during a gathering with other four-time winners Al Unser (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987) and Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Castroneves previously won the race in 2001, 2002, 2009. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indy 500 winner Castroneves pumped for return at Nashville

By Dan Gelston Aug. 04, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

Ryan Hunter-Reay hits the tire barrier after going off the track on the first lap during an IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, Sunday, July 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Shank trying to use IndyCar break to finalize future plans

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 06, 2021 05:58 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden gets sprayed with champagne by Marcus Ericsson in victory lane after winning the IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, Sunday, July 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Newgarden snaps streak on 50th anniversary of 1st Penske win

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 04, 2021 02:13 PM EDT

Race fans decorated their camp site at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to congratulate local IndyCar owner Michael Shank on winning the Indianapolis 500, Saturday, July 3, 2021 in Lexington, Ohio. Shank’s team is based 50 miles away from the race track in Pataskala and considers Mid-Ohio his home track. Mid-Ohio is hosting IndyCar on the Fourth of July for the first time in track history. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
IndyCar embraces Americana charm at Mid-Ohio for holiday

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 03, 2021 04:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 28, 2020, file photo, Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, in Long Pond, Pa. Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick flipped their 1-2 finish in Pocono’s doubleheader weekend last year but they each come back for this weekend’s races winless and trying to chase Kyle Larson. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
AUTO RACING: Larson closing on Hamlin; F1 has a title race

By The Associated Press Jun. 30, 2021 02:41 PM EDT

Alex Palou celebrates his victory in an IndyCar race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Palou makes late surge to win IndyCar race at Road America

By Steve Megargee Jun. 20, 2021 03:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 12, 2021, file photo, Josef Newgarden drives during the first race of the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix auto racing doubleheader on Belle Isle in Detroit. Newgarden won the pole position Saturday, June 19, for Sunday’s IndyCar race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Newgarden earns pole for IndyCar race at Road America

By Steve Megargee Jun. 19, 2021 04:34 PM EDT