Things are heating up at the end of the IndyCar season, with five cars in contention for the championship and five races to go.
But it’s not only the competition at the top of the grid which is getting more heated, with those at the bottom end of the standings also eager to climb the IndyCar standings.
Many drivers are also without a contract for the 2025 season too, including Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean.
The Frenchman has been offered a contract to stay with his current team, but is also being eyed up by rivals outfits due to his experience.
Graham Rahal ‘drives into’ Romain Grosjean in Portland
Although he is yet to take an IndyCar win – which has somehow alluded him over his career so far – his services are in high demand.
His team boss Ricardo Juncos revealed that he ‘has offers from other teams’ in a recent interview.
Now he has been at the centre of some controversy before any competitive running has begun at the Grand Prix of Portland.
After leaving pit road and driving through turn one, he managed to impede Graham Rahal, who decided to inform Grosjean of his displeasure.
IndyCar commentator Leigh Diffey said: “Oh, that’s what happened, I’m sorry. I take that back. Graham flat drove into him.”
Who looked good in Grand Prix of Portland practice?
Four championship protagonists managed to fight their way into the top six during practice in Portland, not including points leader Alex Palou, who was eighth.
It was IndyCar’s top free agent – Alexander Rossi, who posted the best time of the session after rounding the course in just 58.6705 seconds.
The American is yet to sign a contract with anyone for 2025, but good performances might put him on the radar of Chip Ganassi Racing even more – a team he is seen as an outsider to sign for.
Will Power claimed second on his return from a Gateaway outburst which saw him upset David Malukas and get angry at teammate Josef Newgarden.
Colton Herta rounded out the top three after his ‘video-game’ like start at the Grand Prix of Madison last time out.