While one driver has pulled away in points, the raceday battles continue in IndyCar.

Over his 18 seasons as an IndyCar driver, Will Power has seen harrowing battles on track and championships decided by the final race.

“That area you play in is tight,” he says. “But then there’s Palou.”

Alex Palou and his no. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda have dominated the 2025 NTT IndyCar schedule. He reeled off six wins in the first seven races. And although he claimed just one checkered flag since, Palou has recorded 10 top five finishes in the 13 events leading up to the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey.

“For me, it’s crazy,” Palou says. “Three championships, the Indy 500 – I’m not believing what’s going on.”

Such was the Ganassi Racing driver’s lead over the field that a miscue at Toronto last Sunday – a series of cautions threw off team strategy – that left him in 12th barely opened the door in the season points battle. Palou enters the weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 99 points ahead of no. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet Pato O’Ward and a comfortable 173 in front of Kyle Kirkwood and the no. 27 Andretti Honda. (A race win pays 50 points.)

After Laguna Seca there are just three opportunities – Portland, Milwaukee and the season finale at Nashville – to catch the series leader.

In his six years on the IndyCar circuit, Palou has three titles – 2021, 2023 and 2024. And he has been successful at Laguna Seca, claiming his first championship with a second-place finish in 2021 and winning in 2022 and 2024.

His teammate, six-time champion Scott Dixon, took the checkered flag in 2023, marking the Ganassi cars as formidable on the 11-turn, 2.23-mile course.

“I love how the car feels here,” Palou says. “I love the track.”

Last year Palou struggled at the start of the race, falling back in the pack. The team decided to gamble on strategy, trading fuel mileage for pace.

Palou credits the team’s focus for his success. Apart from the hiccup in Toronto, race strategy has been sharp. Pit stops have been quick. But, he adds, “It could all change in one weekend.”

That gives hope to the other teams.

“You’re not going to catch him in the championship, but you can challenge him for race wins,” Power says. “I’d certainly like to contend with him.”

JAVA HOUSE GRAND PRIX OF MONTEREY 8am Friday-Sunday, July 25-27. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. $11/Friday; $109/Saturday; $140/Sunday; $202/weekend. weathertechraceway.com.