Portland GP Betting Odds Preview: Two-Way Battle at PIR

It is the second-last race for the 2022 IndyCar Series as Josef Newgarden looks to claim the top spot in Portland this Sunday. But in his way are a slew of contenders from Patricio “Pato” O’Ward to Will Power to last year’s champion, Alex Palou. Despite the stiff competition, Newgarden (+400) and O’Ward (+450) are the co-favorites per the Portland GP betting odds. Newgarden is coming from a win in Madison while O’Ward looks for his third win this season.

2022 Grand Prix of Portland Information

• Race: Grand Prix of Portland
• Location: Portland International Raceway, Portland, Oregon
• Day/Time: Sunday, September 4, 3:00 p.m.
• Television: NBC/Peacock

Newgarden and O’Ward Look for First Win in PIR

The co-favorites have a sizable edge on the Portland GP betting odds over the likes of Scott McLaughlin (+700), Scott Dixon (+750), and last year’s winner, Palou (+800). This comes even though neither Newgarden nor O’Ward have won at the Portland International Raceway (PIR). Fair play, among the top-10 on the odds board, only Palou and Power (+900) have a previous win on the course.

Newgarden sits just four points back of Will Power for the top of the IndyCar standings. He crashed out of the second race in Iowa while Power has been one of the most consistent drivers all year. Still, with five wins on the year, Newgarden has the highest upside among drivers. That’s why folks who bet on IndyCar race tend to favor the two-time champion.

As for O’Ward, the Mexican sits at seventh on the standings. He is one of only four drivers with multiple wins this season. He struggled early in the season but has since started to rev up with three top-five finishes in his last five races. His team, Arrow McLaren SP, has struggled historically on this track.

Eight drivers have driven on the PIR representing the team but only one finished in the top-10: Felix Rosenqvist last season. O’Ward finished 14th in 2021. The team is firmly behind Chip Ganassi and Team Penske but with O’Ward as their trump card, it could finally break through here.

Power or Palou: Who Could Be the First Repeat Winner in 15 Years?

Since the Grand Prix of Portland joined the IndyCar Series, no driver has won the race more than once. Now, Power and Palou have a shot at becoming the first multiple-time winner since Sebastien Bourdais who won in 2004 and 2007 with Newman/Haas Racing.

Power is sixth on the Portland GP betting odds board while Palou is fifth. The two have been consistent drivers this season but have combined for just one win all year. As the leader in the standings, Power will need to fend off his teammate, Newgarden as he could overtake him in the standings if he has a better finish. McLaughlin, the other Team Penske driver is also a threat and has finished in the top five in his last four races.

As for Palou, the Spaniard has not won a single race this year. He came oh so close several times finishing the second three times and the third, twice. The defending IndyCar Series champion may feel pressure to win this race, especially sitting fifth on the driver standings. But as far as the IndyCar odds go, it is possible for Palou to be the first consecutive winner in the PIR since Gil de Ferran in 1999 and 2000.

High-Stakes Drama in Portland

With this being the second to last race of the year, expect plenty of drama in Portland this Sunday. A mere 58 points separate the top-seven drivers for the year. O’Ward could leap to the top with a win this Sunday and we can see an entirely different standing by Laguna Seca next week.

The Portland GP betting odds could get shaken up depending on how the weather is in Portland. The forecast shows a sunny day with relatively mild conditions on Sunday. But it is just before more blustery weather begins on Monday. If the weather gets mercurial, compounded by how close the standings are, fans will be in for what could be one of the most exciting races in motorsports.