Everything You Need to Know Ahead of The Portland Grand Prix

IndyCar returns to Portland International Raceway for another exciting weekend of racing after the track hosted last year’s championship decider.

(Image Credit to Race Portland)

The Track:

The 1.964-mile road course features 12 turns, highlighted by a quick chicane at the end of the frontstretch, a wide, hard-braking right-hander Turn 7 that feeds onto the sweeping backstretch and a three-turn complex that brings the drivers back onto the frontstretch.

The 1997 race produced the closest two-car and three-car race finish in IndyCar road course history, a record that still stands to this day.

Last Year:

In 2025, Will Power took the victory, claiming his maiden win with Team Penske and his first win of the season ahead of the Dane, Christian Lundgaard, and two-time winner at this track, Alex Palou.

Palou’s third-place finish also secured his third consecutive championship title and fourth overall, making him just the fourth driver in IndyCar history to achieve a three-peat, joining Ted Horn, Sébastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti.

Drivers To Look For:

The reigning champion, Alex Palou, will be one of the drivers to watch this weekend. With the extra track time for him and Chip Ganassi Racing, Palou will be aiming for a third victory at the track.

Christian Lundgaard, is another to look for going into this weekend. He has earlier shown strong performances on road courses, including Portland International Raceway.

A driver hoping to grab some crucial late-season points is Arrow McLaren driver, Pato O’Ward, after a rocky first half to the season.

Schedule (All timings in ET):

Friday:

Practice 1 - 5:30PM

Saturday:

Practice 2 - 1:00PM

Qualifying - 7:00PM

Sunday:

Warm Up -  1:00PM

Race - 4:00PM

Article written by Laura Friis