As the NTT IndyCar Series enters the crucial Hy-Vee Milwaukee doubleheader this weekend, the championship picture is becoming increasingly clear. With only three races left, including the two at Milwaukee, the focus is on whether team orders will come into play for the main title contenders: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou and Team Penske’s Will Power.
Palou, who has been leading the championship for the last seven races, holds a 54-point advantage over Power. Palou’s teammate, Scott Dixon, who was once a strong contender, now trails by 101 points, making his chances slim. Despite the gap, Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) isn’t ready to impose team orders to aid Palou just yet.
CGR’s managing director, Mike Hull, emphasized that the team has historically avoided team orders. “We’ve never had team orders,” Hull said, pointing out that while Dixon isn’t out of the title fight mathematically, it would take an extraordinary turn of events for him to close the gap.
Team Penske faces a similar situation. Power’s teammate, Scott McLaughlin, is 88 points behind Palou, while Josef Newgarden sits a distant seventh with a 131-point deficit. Although they are long shots for the title, Power suggested that Penske might consider team orders to support his championship bid, especially if Saturday’s race sees McLaughlin or Newgarden fall further behind.
“If we have the cars to win, and we want to win the championship, yes, that’s probably what we should do with three to go,” Power stated. “We should probably be looking at how can we get the 12 car in the best possible position.”
However, Hull is cautious about asking drivers like Dixon to alter their racing approach, as it could disrupt the team’s rhythm. “If you don’t race the way you normally have raced all year, the odds of you having the same result are pretty slim,” Hull noted.
Interestingly, Hull suggested that Ganassi’s strategy might involve having Dixon play offense rather than defense. If Dixon can take points away from Power by winning, even if Palou isn’t leading, it could still benefit Palou’s championship aspirations. “If Dixon wins the race over Will Power, he takes points away from Will,” Hull explained. “If they’re together at the end of the race, and Scott would be in a position to win, and Will’s in a position to be second, that’s the best thing in the world for us to do if Alex isn’t leading.”
As the weekend approaches, the possibility of team orders will likely hinge on the outcomes of Saturday’s race. If Power or Dixon falters, the dynamics could shift dramatically, forcing teams to make strategic decisions that could define the remainder of the season. Whether it’s through direct team orders or strategic positioning, the battle at Milwaukee could set the stage for a thrilling championship finale.
