Will it be Alex Palou or Will Power? The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion will be crowned at the season-ending Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Super Speedway one week from today.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, in the No.10 DHL Honda, holds a 33-point lead in the championship despite a mechanical issue last time out in Milwaukee.
So, what does that mean? Palou wins the championship if he finishes the race ahead of Will Power.
Will Power’s path to the championship is trickier. The Australian will be hoping that Palou does not finish the race, and if that were to happen, Power needs to finish at least third or higher.
If Power takes pole, wins the race, leads a lap, and leads the most laps, he will earn a maximum of 54 points, meaning that Palou would have to finish tenth or lower in order for Power to win the championship.
Speaking to Paddock Eye on Friday, former INDYCAR and Formula One driver Derek Daly said Will Power blew his opportunity to win the championship in Milwaukee time-out when he spun and recovered to finish tenth.
Mathematically, the championship is still open, and this is INDYCAR, where absolutely anything can happen and does.