O’Ward trims IndyCar title gap to Palou with Toronto triumph

©IndyCar/Joe Skibinsy

40

©IndyCar/Joe Skibinsy

Pato O’Ward isn’t backing down from the NTT IndyCar Series title fight – and his commanding drive in Sunday’s Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto proved it.

The Arrow McLaren star claimed his second victory in just eight days, vaulting himself back into championship contention after series leader Alex Palou struggled to a 12th-place finish.

O’Ward’s triumph, his first ever on the streets of Toronto and ninth career INDYCAR win, cuts Palou’s once-giant lead from 129 to 99 points with four rounds remaining. Wit a race win potentially earning up to 54 points, the title battle is far from sealed.

©Indycar/Chris Owens

“Oh, man, I can’t say I saw this (win) coming,” O’Ward said. “But I was feeling so good on the (primary) tyres all weekend really. We were just struggling to get the alternates to work in qualifying. Sadly, that’s the one you need to transfer.

“But I knew we had a great car under me to race with, and (the crew) nailed it on the strategy.”

The race was action-packed, with 226 on-track passes and 201 for position, the highest in Toronto since 2014 and 2019, respectively, fueled by the tight 1.786-mile, 11-turn street circuit and varied tyre strategies.

Rinus VeeKay and Kyffin Simpson shone with podium finishes, marking VeeKay’s first since 2022 and Simpson’s career-first.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.