O’Ward Eyes Championship Challenge as Laguna Seca Race Approaches
In the lead-up to the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series championship, Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren faces a formidable task: overtake Alex Palou, who holds a 100-point lead with only four races remaining. With his championship bid hanging by a thread, O’Ward is tenaciously pursuing every opportunity to reduce that deficit.
O’Ward qualified second for Sunday’s 95-lap race at Laguna Seca, securing a position alongside Palou, who captured pole with a lap time that was 0.287 seconds faster than O’Ward’s. "This is the best starting position I have had here,” O’Ward remarked. “It’s a step in the right direction for us… Starting P2 has been very good to me in the past."
Arrow McLaren has shown significant improvement lately, with O’Ward achieving four consecutive top-five finishes, including two victories, prior to this race. "We’re pushing, man, we really are," he asserted, noting the team’s enhanced performance stemming from a revamped engineering setup. O’Ward expressed confidence in the team’s progress: "It’s just such a difference when you roll off strong… this year, it definitely feels like we’ve got something to fight with."
The Laguna Seca event holds particular significance for O’Ward, who enjoys strong support from fans, sharing a cultural connection that enhances the race atmosphere. "They love bringing the Mexican flags," he said, appreciating the passionate crowd. "It makes me very proud seeing them on the grandstands."
As the championship battle intensifies, O’Ward remains focused on leveraging his starting position to close the gap on Palou and sustain his title aspirations.
