INDYCAR AT PHOENIX: THE RETURN OF AN HISTORIC OVAL
After the opening race of the season on the streets of St. Petersburg, the IndyCar championship moves west to Arizona for one of the most interesting events of the early season. This weekend the series returns to Phoenix Raceway, a circuit that has been part of American racing history for decades but has not hosted an IndyCar race in eight years.
The return to Phoenix brings a sense of uncertainty. Many drivers on the current grid have never raced an IndyCar here, which means teams will rely heavily on simulation work and the test session that took place in February. On an oval where experience can make a big difference, surprises are very possible.
The driver everyone is chasing: Alex Palou
The championship arrives in Arizona just days after the season opener in Florida, where Alex Palou started the year in the best possible way by winning in St. Petersburg.
The Spanish driver has become the reference point in IndyCar over the last few seasons thanks to his consistency, race management, and ability to extract performance in every type of circuit. Because of that, the main question in the paddock remains simple: who can actually challenge Palou for victories this year?
Some drivers might have a small advantage this weekend because they already know the Phoenix oval: Scott Dixon won here in 2016, as Josef Newgarden took victory in the most recent IndyCar race at Phoenix in 2018
Both drivers are considered among the best oval racers in the series, so their past experience could be important.
Other drivers who have raced here before include Will Power, Alexander Rossi, and Graham Rahal, while much of the field will effectively be learning the track during the race weekend
Dixon and Power looking for redemption
For some drivers, the Phoenix race is also an immediate chance to bounce back after a frustrating start to the season.
Will Power had a difficult debut weekend with Andretti. Brake problems caused two nearly identical crashes, one during practice and another during the race, ruining what could have been a promising start.
Meanwhile, Scott Dixon also left St. Petersburg disappointed. His race was compromised by a mistake during a pit stop when the right rear wheel came loose shortly after he returned to the track. The problem forced him out of contention despite having competitive pace earlier in the race.
Both veterans will be eager to reset their season in Arizona.
A new challenge for Mick Schumacher
Another storyline this weekend involves Mick Schumacher, who will experience something completely new: his first oval race in IndyCar.
Schumacher’s debut in the championship ended almost immediately in St. Petersburg after an incident in the opening laps, meaning he still has very little race mileage in the series. Phoenix therefore becomes an important opportunity for him to gain experience and show what he can do in a completely different racing environment.
Can Dale Coyne keep the momentum?
One of the biggest surprises of the opening race came from Dale Coyne Racing.
Both Romain Grosjean and rookie Dennis Hauger managed to finish inside the top ten in St. Petersburg, which was a strong result for a team that usually operates with a smaller budget than many of its rivals.
The question now is whether they can maintain that form on a very different type of circuit.
Phoenix Raceway is located in Arizona, and it is a one-mile tri-oval. Although relatively short compared to some other oval tracks, it is known for producing intense and strategic racing.
One of its most famous features is the “dogleg”, a slight left-hand bend that appears just after the start-finish line.
The race will cover 250 laps, which equals roughly 400 kilometers. On a short oval like Phoenix, that means drivers will be constantly dealing with traffic, pit strategies, and tire management.
Share this content:
