IndyCar Race Schedule: What to watch for in the rest of 2023

The Gallagher Grand Prix gave IndyCar fans a sight they’ve seen many times in the past 15 years: a victorious Scott Dixon. The six-time IndyCar champion earned his first win in 2023 to move up to second place in the championship standings. But it may be much too little, much too late on the 2023 IndyCar race schedule.

Three IndyCar races are left this season: the final oval race at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway), Portland, and Laguna Seca.

Gateway was the site of some close battles in recent memory, like the fight between Josef Newgarden, Colton Herta, and Alexander Rossi in 2021. There have also been relatively processional races like Newgarden’s win last season. It’s one of two shorter ovals on the calendar in addition to the Iowa Speedway. With a win there, Newgarden could become the first driver in the modern era to sweep all oval races in a season.

Even if he does, the Indycar odds point to Álex Palou winning his second championship in three years. The Spaniard boasts a 101- and 102-point lead over Dixon and Newgarden, respectively, in the IndyCar standings. It’d be a big surprise for him not to perform well at Portland or Laguna Seca.

Portland’s seen many pole sitters cruise to victory lately. Palou took the pole position, and a recovery drive following a first-lap pileup gave him a win to retake the championship lead in 2021. Last season, Scott McLaughlin took pole position and led 104 of 110 laps for his third career IndyCar win. Besides a caution flag shuffling the order in 2018, Portland’s been a relatively uneventful race in years past. It’s unlikely to see a major surprise save for dynamic weather conditions.

Similarly, Laguna Seca returned to the IndyCar race schedule relatively recently, with the 2019 event breaking a 15-year hiatus. One of the most storied races on the calendar, it’s long been near the end of the season. Last IndyCar season, the championship came down to the final part of the race for champion Will Power to secure his second title over teammate Newgarden. Palou took the win ahead of the two title challengers.

In 2021, Colton Herta took his second win at the track ahead of the champion Palou. Title contender Pato O’Ward couldn’t overcome the gap to Palou and finished 27th on the day.

The remaining tracks offer a good mix of venues. A fast short-track oval (Gateway), a quick road course (Portland), and a classic technical road course (Laguna Seca). Each will favor different drivers at the top of the IndyCar standings. Look for oval standouts like Newgarden and O’Ward to be battling in Gateway. But the road courses will be a different ordeal.

Through 14 races, Palou’s never finished lower than eighth. Three of his four wins in 2023 have come on road courses (GMR Grand Prix, Road America, Mid-Ohio). With wins at both Portland and Laguna Seca in the past two years, it’ll be tough to catch him. Herta, Dixon, and Power will likely be among those to challenge Palou, Newgarden, and O’Ward.

The IndyCar race schedule for 2023 is nearly finished, as is the final year of the current V8 engine formula. Though Palou has a massive lead for a second title, there’s still the possibility of a surprise from multi-time champions Dixon or Newgarden.

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

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Hy-Vee Homefront 250 Odds: Can anyone beat Newgarden in Iowa?
• Championship leader Palou paces Grand Prix of Nashville odds
• Palou favored to win number five in IndyCar Gallagher Grand Prix
• Palou favored for fourth straight win in Honda Indy Toronto Betting Odds
• Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Odds: Palou paces the field again