2023 Grand Prix of Portland Odds: Palou’s Second Championship?

So much for a done deal in IndyCar this season. Six weeks ago, championship leader Álex Palou looked set for a second IndyCar title in three years. But Palou’s teammate and six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon surged to second in the standings with a shot to take down the Spaniard. There are just two races to go this IndyCar season. And the 2023 Grand Prix of Portland odds favor a potential title-clinching winner on Sunday.

Explore Portland Grand Prix Odds now at Point Spreads

Palou with a slight edge in the leading group

Though his lead in the IndyCar standings has shrunk in recent weeks, Palou hasn’t dropped off that much in form since his second-place finish in Toronto. He’s maintained his perfect record of finishing eighth or higher in every race this season. Eighth in Iowa 1 and then third in Iowa 2 and Nashville’s kept him comfortably at the top of the IndyCar standings.

But while he’s finished seventh in the Gallagher Grand Prix and Gateway, Dixon’s won back-to-back races. The gap now sits at 74 points; mathematically, Dixon has a solid shot for the title. A DNF or season-worst result for Palou in either Portland or Laguna Seca opens the door for Dixon even more.

But at +320, Palou’s the favorite for the win in Portland. He’s been superb on road courses this season with three wins (GMR Grand Prix, Road America, Mid-Ohio) and won this event in 2021. A win this weekend seals the title, and he’s sure to be near the front.

Scott McLaughlin’s next in odds at +500. His win in Alabama is months behind us, but he’s been resurgent in the last five races. Pole positions in Nashville and Gateway haven’t correlated to wins, but he’s managed top-five results in both. Two second-place finishes (Nashville and Iowa 1) have him firmly in the top five of the standings.

Portland more resembles Mid-Ohio than Alabama in track layout, and McLaughlin had a strong result there (fifth). He could be on for another good development here.

Pato O’Ward (+700) has been similarly resurgent in the last five IndyCar races. Three podiums (Iowa 1, Gallager Grand Prix, and Gateway) have him closing in on a dropping Josef Newgarden for third in the standings. O’Ward’s best results have come from various layouts, but road courses have been his overall best form this season, with three podiums (GMR Grand Prix, Road America, Gallagher Grand Prix).

He’s overdue for a victory this season, but his best result in Portland is fourth last year. He may be a better bet for victory next week in Laguna Seca given his track record there, but will still likely be racing in the top five in Portland.

Dixon (+800) rounds out the top group of favorites. The six-time champion’s proved his mettle over the past couple of months. Two consecutive wins are the latest in a run of 11 top-six finishes, the best run of the IndyCar grid. He’s raced best in road courses in that stretch, including second in Mid-Ohio and the win at the Gallagher Grand Prix. He must win this weekend to keep the championship fight going to Laguna Seca. He’s never won in Portland but given his recent form, he could make it happen.

Longer shots for victory in the 2023 Grand Prix of Portland odds

How fortunes have turned for Newgarden (+1000) in a matter of a few weeks. His worst result of the season at the Gallagher Grand Prix (25th) repeated in Gateway, dashing his hopes of an oval sweep in 2023. He’s now too far back in the IndyCar standings to challenge for the title this season. He may bounce back in Portland, where he’s taken multiple top-five results.

Christian Lundgaard (+1200) has been an impressive surprise in 2023. Two pole positions, including a win from pole in Toronto, has made for a solid sophomore season. Aside from that win in Toronto, his best results have come at road courses. Fourth in the GMR and Gallager Grands Prix and Mid-Ohio make for a good track record in that format. He finished 21st in this event last year but will likely race much better this time.

Alexander Rossi (+1600) has the best IndyCar results at Portland since the race returned to the calendar in 2018. Though he hasn’t won any of the races, his average finish (fifth) is the top among active drivers. This run includes podium finishes in 2019 and 2021. Rossi’s had top-five finishes in each of the past two races, and his best result of 2023 came at the GMR Grand Prix. He could surprise for his first win this season.

Predictions for the Grand Prix of Portland

It’s hard to go against Palou on a road course this season. He’s made a lot of IndyCar news off the track in recent weeks, but his form in 2023 is by far the class of the field. Given that and the 2023 Grand Prix of Portland odds, Palou is the choice here.

He’ll want to end the title fight here and enjoy much less pressure in the season finale at Laguna Seca.

If you’re looking for a better payout, consider McLaughlin or Rossi. Either could be racing near the front and giving Palou a battle for the win.

For IndyCar betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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