O’Ward Claims Victory at Honda Indy Toronto, Palou’s Strategy Backfires
Toronto, Ontario – Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren secured a pivotal victory at the Honda Indy Toronto, capitalizing on an uncharacteristic strategic misstep by championship leader Alex Palou. O’Ward’s win marked his second triumph in three races, reviving his slim title hopes as he reduced Palou’s lead from 129 to 99 points with four races remaining.
O’Ward, who started from tenth, executed a flawless race strategy, leading a total of 30 laps. The decisive moment came after an early pit stop on lap three, which was immediately rewarded by a caution period. Meanwhile, Palou, starting from the front row, opted to remain out during caution periods and eventually fell into the midfield after a delayed pit stop.
"Great strategy,” O’Ward commented, noting the effectiveness of his team. “I can’t say I saw this one coming today.” His team’s aggressive approach paid dividends as he established control during the race, which concluded under caution after a collision involving teammates Nolan Siegel and Felix Rosenqvist on lap 89.
Dale Coyne Racing’s Rinus VeeKay finished an impressive second, having led 16 laps, while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyffin Simpson achieved his first career podium in third place.
Palou’s strategy was highlighted by his choice to start on the durable Firestone primary tires, a gamble that ultimately failed. Despite leading a race-high 37 laps, his decision to stay out during critical caution scenarios left him mired in 12th place post-pit stop, ultimately finishing 30 seconds behind O’Ward.
“I chose the strategy, so there’s what we did wrong today,” Palou said. “I thought it was going to give us the best option to win. The car was really fast, but it happens.”
The race began with a split in tire strategy, with polesitter Colton Herta leading initially but quickly falling behind after an early caution that benefitted those who had pitted. Despite his miscommunication, Palou proved capable of pace but could not recover after his ill-timed calls.
PREMA Racing’s Callum Ilott marked his best result of the season with an eighth-place finish, solidifying the rookie team’s competitiveness.
As the series heads to Laguna Seca next, Palou remains at a significant advantage, but O’Ward’s momentum signals a resurgent challenge for the championship. The road ahead is crucial, with the potential for strategic gambles to define the remaining races.
Final Results:
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren)
- Rinus VeeKay (Dale Coyne Racing)
- Kyffin Simpson (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Colton Herta (Andretti Autosport)
- Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Kyle Kirkwood (AJ Foyt Racing)
Championship Standings
- Leader: Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 99-point lead
- Challenger: Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren)
Next Race
- Event: Laguna Seca
- Date: Upcoming Sunday
