Alex Palou already locked up his fifth INDYCAR title last week, his fourth consecutive championship, but the season’s not over yet. There’s one more race on the schedule, the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca on Sunday, September 6, at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, and a few drivers are looking to close out 2026 with a serious statement.
Palou’s Victory Lap or Another Stunner?
Palou is cruising into Laguna Seca with the championship confetti still settling, making this weekend a victory lap. What a year for the guy, racking up eight poles, six wins, and leading an insane 673 laps on his way to that fifth title. The dude is dominant, no question. He’s even the odds-on favorite for this race at 10/11 according to DraftKings Sportsbook. And get this: when the series was here in July 2025, Palou snagged the win, holding off Christian Lundgaard, who finished second. So yeah, he knows his way around this track. The question isn’t whether Palou has something to prove, it’s whether he can add another exclamation point to an already historic season.
O’Ward’s Chance for a Heroic Finish
While Palou has been untouchable, Pato O’Ward is definitely the “one to watch” this weekend, coming in at 15/2 odds. He just swept both races at Milwaukee, an electric run that finally injected some much needed glimmer into what’s been a pretty disappointing year for him overall. Before that Milwaukee performance, O’Ward only had one other win this season, and that came at Mid-Ohio. He missed the podium here last year, finishing fourth, so he’s got a shot at redemption for sure. Can O’Ward carry that Milwaukee momentum to Laguna Seca and cap off his season with a huge win, proving he’s still a top contender in this league? We’re about to find out.
The final race of the 2026 INDYCAR season is set to go down at Laguna Seca on Sunday. Whether it’s Palou cementing his legacy with another win or O’Ward fighting to finish strong, you won’t want to miss the action.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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