P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Thanks to the research of racing statistician Scott Richards, some interesting facts and figures for the leading NTT IndyCar Series drivers have been generated entering the finale event of the seas…
Racing statistician Scott Richards has provided interesting facts and figures for the leading NTT IndyCar Series drivers before the season finale. Alex Palou, the championship leader, has led the championship following 45 percent of his 80 IndyCar races since debuting in 2020, mostly after joining Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. Palou has tied with Rick Mears and Al Unser Jr. for leading the drivers’ standings across 36 combined races, reaching this milestone faster than Mears and Little Al. Will Power, Palou’s main title rival, achieved a similar feat after 123 races in 2014. If Palou wins the championship at 27 years and five months, he would be the second-youngest three-time IndyCar champion after Sam Hornish Jr. Scott Dixon holds the most championships for Ganassi with six, followed by Franchitti with three, a record Palou could potentially tie. The points leader entering the finale has won the championship for the past eight years, indicating a favorable outcome for Palou, with historical exceptions like Montoya, Power, Dixon, Castroneves, and Franchitti. Power’s championship victory would make him a three-time champion, elevating him to the same level of success as Mears as Penske’s greatest title-winning IndyCar drivers. Power is currently tied at two championships with Penske legends like Sneva, Unser, de Ferran, and Newgarden, while other notable drivers have also achieved championship success with the team. At 43 years and 6 months, Power would become the oldest champion since Al Unser.
