Palou Faces a Crucial Weekend in Iowa
This weekend could be the key to Alex Palou’s aspirations to complete his third IndyCar title. The Spaniard will face two races in a row in the Iowa Short Oval, where he will test his 48-point lead over Penske’s Will Power.
Palou has focused his work during the preseason on improving his performance on this type of track, and now, with the added introduction of the hybrid system, it’s time to see if it has worked. If he is able to maintain his usual average position (top 5) in both races, he will have given a giant step towards the title.
Duel with the Penske
It won’t be easy, as the Penske team proved to be unstoppable on this type of track last year. However, other drivers like Newgarden and McLaughlin were more inspired, and neither of them are rivals for the championship. Newgarden will be the top favorite, having won nine of the last 12 races on ovals.
Iowa: A Physical Challenge
The IndyCar drivers will also have to face another special circumstance: the peculiar schedule, which will compress the two races. In Iowa, the drivers will face the two rounds of 250 laps in just 16 hours, with only 13 hours separating the two green flags. The drivers will also have to adjust to the resurfacing of the track, which will make the race even more physical.
Schedule and Where to Watch on TV
This weekend, IndyCar will experience its most peculiar program of the season, with proximity between the two races and diverse timetables in Europe. The first race will be played in the afternoon in Iowa, early morning in Spain, and the second race will be played at 11:30 am US time and 18:30 pm in Spain. Both races can be followed live on Movistar Sports.
Mid Ohio Honda 200 Schedule
- Friday, July 12: Free Practice, 10:30 pm
- Saturday, July 13: Qualifying, 21:45 pm; Race 1, 2:06 am (Saturday to Sunday)
- Sunday, July 14: Warm-up, 16:25 pm; Race 2, 18:30 pm