🏁 2025 Season: Palou & Kirkwood Dominance
The 2025 IndyCar season has been a two-horse race—with Álex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood combining to win all eight races so far. Palou, the reigning champion, tops the standings with five victories, including a landmark Indy 500 win, while Kirkwood has captured the other three, recently winning on ovals and street circuits to showcase his versatility. Heading into Road America, Palou holds a healthy lead, but Kirkwood is closing in, especially after back-to-back wins at Detroit and Gateway
🏆 Road America Preview: A High-Stakes Showdown
Set for June 22, the 2025 XPEL Grand Prix at Road America promises a pivotal battle. Palou, who excelled here last season with two wins at this challenging permanent road course, will be keen to extend his tally and maintain championship dominance. Meanwhile, Kirkwood sees this as a prime opportunity to chip away at the points deficit—he’s yet to claim victory here, but his momentum and road-course skill make him a serious threat.
🏎️ Track Insight: Road America Essentials
Road America is a true motorsports classic—a 4.014‑mile (6.461 km) permanent road course with 14 turns, hosting a 55‑lap, 220‑mile (354 km) Grand Prix. It’s renowned for elevation changes, fast straights like the front–back “thunder valley” and technical corners like Turn 5 (“Canada Corner”). The long lap demands precision, bravery under braking, and smart tire and fuel management—favoring drivers who can balance speed and consistency lap after lap.
🔄 Reflecting on 2024: Penske’s Podium Sweep & Honda Performances
In the 2024 XPEL Grand Prix, Team Penske delivered a dominant performance, sweeping the podium with Will Power, Josef Newgarden, and Scott McLaughlin, while Palou and Kirkwood finished fourth and fifth respectively. It marked a sharp contrast to 2025, where Honda-powered entries now own the scene. Penske’s sweep not only ended a long drought for Power but set the bar high—this year’s event will be a test of whether Honda teams can counter that Penske power.
🔮 What to Watch This Weekend
Expect high drama: a potential Palou–Kirkwood duel with championship implications, fast-paced overtakes in the technical sections, and strategy-differentiating pit calls. Weather and track conditions could further shape outcomes—making car setup and team communication crucial. If Palou can maintain his edge here, he’ll reinforce his run toward a third straight title; if Kirkwood wins, it’ll tighten the championship race and shift momentum.
Road America IndyCar Weekend Schedule
* All times Central
Thursday, June 19
11:05-11:55 RCNA Test 1 (50)
12:05-1:00 USF2000 Test 1 (55)
1:10-2:05 USF Pro 2000 Test 1 (55)
2:15-3:05 RCNA Test 2 (50)
3:15-4:10 USF2000 Test 2 (55)
4:20-5:15 USF Pro 2000 Test 2 (55)
5:25-6:15 RCNA Test 3 (50)
Friday, June 20
8:35-9:05 RCNA P1 (30)
9:15-9:45 USF Pro 2000 Practice (30)
9:55-10:25 USF2000 Practice (30)
10:35-11:05 RCNA P2 (30)
11:20-11:50 USF Pro 2000 Q1 (30), Streaming: YouTube Pole: Max Garcia, starting lineup
12:05-12:35 USF2000 Q (30), Streaming: YouTube
12:50-1:20 RCNA Quals (30)
1:35-2:05 USF Pro 2000 Q2 (30), Streaming: YouTube
2:30-3:15 INDY NXT P1 (45), TV/Streaming: FS2; Radio: IndyCar Radio
3:35-4:50 NTT INDYCAR SERIES P1 (75), TV/Streaming: FS2; Radio: IndyCar Radio Kyle Kirkwood fastest
5:10-6:00 RCNA Race #1 (50)
Saturday, June 21
8:00-8:40 USF Pro 2000 Race #1 (40), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Max Garcia, Results
9:00-9:45 INDY NXT P2 (45), TV/Streaming: FS1; Radio: IndyCar Radio
10:05-11:05 NTT INDYCAR SERIES P2 (45), TV/Streaming: FS1; Radio: IndyCar Radio Christian Lundgaard fastest
11:25-12:05 USF2000 Race #1 (40), Streaming: YouTube
12:30-1:00 INDY NXT Quals (30), TV/Streaming: FS1; Radio: IndyCar Radio
1:30-3:00 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying 90, TV/Streaming: FS1; Radio: IndyCar Radio Pole: Louis Foster, Starting Grid
3:20-4:10 RCNA Race #2 (50)
4:25-5:05 USF Pro 2000 Race #2 (40), Streaming: YouTube
5:20-6:00 USF2000 Race #2 (40), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Max Garcia, Results
Sunday, June 22
7:55-8:40 USF Pro 2000 Race #3 (50), Streaming: YouTube Winner: Max Taylor, Results
9:02-9:27 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up, TV/Streaming: FS1; Radio: IndyCar Radio Felix Rosenqvist fastest
10:00-11:00 INDY NXT Race (20 laps or 55 mins), TV/Streaming: FS1; Radio: IndyCar Radio Winner: Caio Collet, Results
12:30 – NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix presented by AMR Green Flag – 55 Laps, TV/Streaming: FOX; Radio: IndyCar Radio
3:20-4:10 RCNA Race #3 (50)
Previous Winners
NTT IndyCar Series: Will Power
Indy NXT: Jamie Chadwick
Weather Report
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Friday, June 20: Morning showers likely, turning warm and humid—high around 83 °F, low 68 °F. Expect damp paddock conditions early.
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Saturday, June 21: Scorching heat returns with highs near 98 °F, breezy yet very hot—stay hydrated and shielded from the sun.
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Sunday, June 22: Still hot and humid with highs around 94 °F. Skies mostly sunny—great for racing, but beware of UV exposure.
