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Will Power Ends Penske’s 2025 Drought With Victory At Portland; Palou Clinches Fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Title

by racerx55 August 12, 2025 1 comment

Story & Photo by: Christian Koelle/TheFourthTurn.com

PORTLAND, OR – Will Power held off a hard-charging Christian Lundgaard and Alex Palou to earn his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory of the 2025 campaign in Sunday’s BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland presented by askROI at Portland International Raceway.

With Palou having more push-to-pass than Lundgaard and Power, it seemed like Palou would leave Portland with win No. 9 on the season. That wasn’t the case. Palou and Lundgaard made contact, a racing move as Palou called it, that pushed him into the grass and ultimately cost Palou the victory.

“I think it’s just a big win for the whole team,” Power said. “We’ve had a rough year, and it’s not really because we’ve been off the pace. It’s just been unfortunate circumstances. It was a good, hard-fought win.

“Stoked. I’ve had a great career with Verizon and Penske, so I’ve really, really enjoyed winning for the guys and everyone I’ve worked with for a long time. It’s awesome.”

Lundgaard didn’t catch Power late and came home in the second position, his best finish since his victory at Toronto in 2023 and his best finish with Arrow McLaren SP since joining the organization.

Palou wouldn’t leave Portland empty-handed, though. With Pato O’Ward having mechanical issues most of the afternoon, Palou ended the race in third, 151 points ahead of the No. 5, which officially clinches his fourth championship in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“It’s unbelievable; it’s crazy,” Palou said. “I couldn’t be happier right now. This has been an amazing season, an amazing five years with CGR. I have no words to describe how grateful I am to everybody at CGR. I cannot wait for more.”

Despite not receiving the Astor Cup on Sunday in Portland, Palou will run a sticker on the rear wing of his car commemorating his championship in the final two races of the season at Milwaukee and Nashville, and he will receive the Cup in Lebanon, Tennessee, on Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway during the season finale.

By finishing fourth, Graham Rahal earned his best finish since the 2023 Gallagher Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit. Alexander Rossi also kept his career top-five streak going, now at nine straight years, rounding out the top five.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, Aug. 24, for the Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250. Live coverage will broadcast on FOX at 2 p.m. ET.