NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader Alex Palou aims for historic third Portland win at BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland on Sunday - Speedway Digest

Alex Palou is chasing history and another NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship as the series heads to Portland International Raceway (PIR) this weekend, Aug. 23-25, for the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver aims to win at PIR for second consecutive year and become the third ever three-time Portland INDYCAR winner, joining Al Unser Jr. and Michael Andretti, at the 30th running of the event on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. PT.

Palou is also closing in on his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship in four years. The 27-year-old pilot leads the INDYCAR championship by 59 points with three races to go in the 2024 campaign. He has been dominant at PIR, winning two of the past three INDYCAR rounds at the 12-turn, 1.964-mile road course. Palou clinched the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with a convincing win in Portland last September.

“I think it’s more of a shock if we see a champion repeating than if we don’t see him repeating,” Palou told NBCSports.com. “I think that the opportunity I have in front of me, it’s great… I don’t really feel the pressure of trying to defend a title because every time we step on the track, we need to win. Even if you are a champ or you’re not, you need to win.”

Palou (443 points) carries a substantial lead over a talented group of drivers including Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian pilot Colton Herta (384 points), Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon (378 points) and Team Penske’s Will Power (377 points) in the INDYCAR standings. Both Dixon and Power are multi-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions, and Power won the Portland race in 2019.

Palou will help jump start the race weekend festivities by appearing at the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland Kickoff Party on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 10 Barrel Brewing Co. (1411 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209). The party will run from 4-7:30 p.m. PT with the Portland sports talk radio show “Primetime with Isaac & Suke” from 1080 AM The Fan broadcasting live on site until 7 p.m. PT. Palou, INDY NXT by Firestone driver and Portland native Josh Pierson, plus additional support series drivers will be in attendance at select times to sign autographs and mingle with fans.

Drivers from the four open-wheel development series that feed into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will also be battling for championships at PIR this weekend. With three races left, INDY NXT by Firestone points leader Louis Foster has an opportunity to clinch the series championship as he brings a 91-point lead to Portland. Additionally, champions will be crowned and scholarship funds awarded as all three USF Pro Championship Presented by Continental Tire (USF Pro 2000, USF2000 and USF Juniors) conclude their seasons with multiple races across the weekend.

Ticket prices start as low as $25 for Single Day General Admission and $70 for Single Day Grandstand seats. Three-day tickets remain available for purchase and offer the best fan value. General Admission for the entire weekend is just $75, and a 3-Day Grandstand reserved seat starts at $85 which includes gate admission.

Children 12 and under receive free general admission to the event. This also includes complimentary access to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Paddock throughout the weekend when accompanied by a ticketed adult. To enhance their experience further, the youngest fans can participate in the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland Rookie Racers. This immersive program, offering unique experiences throughout the race weekend, is on sale at raceportland.com for $25.

For all ticket pricing, grandstand locations and additional festival information, visit raceportland.com. Stay up to speed on the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland on social media by following #PortlandGP.

Portland GP PR