IndyCar’s season finale in Nashville could be one of the most exciting ends to a championship in recent memory.
Two drivers with nothing to lose are chasing Alex Palou, attempting to deny him a third title in the last four years.
Palou, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin will all do battle at a track that hasn’t hosted an IndyCar race since 2008 – Power’s rookie season in the sport.
With limited track knowledge, and now looming weather concerns, it could turn out to be an incredibly exciting end to the season.
Why the IndyCar season finale will take place despite storms
It would be incredibly anti-climatic and an absolute disaster for IndyCar if they were forced to cancel the championship decider due to a weather event.
In fact, the wider implications for the smaller teams could be just as devastating, with spots in the leader’s circle still up for grabs and the extra £760,000 ($1 million) in prize money that comes with.
Speaking to RACER, a spokesperson for the event has assured fans in attendance that the event will be going ahead, and that they will find a way to race around the weather.
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“There’s no intention of making any rapid calls. Freedom Friday is going forward downtown as planned. We’ve got lights at the Speedway, we’ve got three Air Titans to dry the track, and we’ve got no sound ordinance to worry about so we can run as late as we need,”
“We’re going to get the race in. We’re going to convey everything we can on a frequent basis; our plan is to over-communicate to keep fans updated every 60 to 90 minutes when we get to Friday with weather updates and any adjustments we might need to make.
“Our X and Instagram channels, leaning heavier on X with the @MusicCityGP account, will be where to look for our updates.”
What are the odds of Palou being stopped in Nashville?
With a 33-point lead at the top of the drivers’ championship, Palou’s task isn’t too tall on Sunday, but there is still plenty of pressure on him.
Race two of the Milwaukee Mile proved that, as he nearly retired and lost plenty of ground in the title fight as a result of an electrical issue.
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Nothing but a win will do for Power or McLaughlin, but they have nothing to lose and can give it their all without having to worry about the cars around them.
In fact, most of the grid is in the same boat, with not a lot to fight for and a whole lot to defend on Sunday – which should make for some aggressive moves from those whose season is all but decided.
If the curveball of a wet race is thrown up, then Palou will really want to avoid getting swallowed up in the midfield, which could be a treacherous experience with the spray.