The NTT INDYCAR Series returns to Mid-Ohio on Sunday, July 6, 2025, for the venerable Honda Indy 200. This event, now in its 42nd running, remains a staple of the summer months and marks the midpoint of the season’s grueling schedule. After a strategic and tightly contested race in 2024, drivers and teams are ready to challenge a circuit rich in elevation changes and tight corners.
The Circuit — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Mid-Ohio is a 2.258-mile, 13-turn permanent road course carved through natural terrain in Lexington, Ohio, about halfway between Columbus and Cleveland. The track offers a narrow racing ribbon some 40 feet wide, with significant elevation shifts and a mix of high-speed and technical sections. Highlights include the sweeping Esses, the challenging Keyhole hairpin, and a front straight that leads into a hectic Turn 1 — a prime passing zone. Offseason safety enhancements in Turn 4 have smoothed banking and improved drainage, creating a safer and more consistent racing surface.
Contenders & Storylines
Mid-Ohio is known as the domain of Scott Dixon — the Kiwi master holds six wins and multiple podiums here. Expect a strong challenge from rising talents like Pato O’Ward, who edged out Dixon to claim victory in 2024, and reigning champion Alex Palou, always formidable on technical road courses. Local hero Graham Rahal, a former winner and native Ohioan, will look to reclaim glory on his home turf. Keep an eye on aggressive qualifiers like Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong from Meyer Shank Racing, both fast but prone to the unpredictability of street-style circuits.
Race Strategy
The 90-lap, 203-mile race will test tire wear, especially in hot, humid conditions, and demand precision in braking zones. Pit strategy will likely be two-stop fuel windows unless full-course yellows shift the plan. Track width restricts overtaking, so qualifying and track position will be pivotal. Rain showers earlier in the week may have washed away rubber, meaning grip could be variable — especially in the twisty back half. Safety improvements will reduce incidents, but a strong start and clean pit execution remain crucial.
Final Thoughts
Mid-Ohio offers one of the most historic and challenging tests on the IndyCar calendar: elevation, tight complexes, and strategic gameplay in a pressure-packed environment. With Dixon looking to extend his legacy, challengers like O’Ward and Palou primed for another shot, and Rahal chasing home-track glory, expect fierce battles. Enjoy what should be a thrilling, heat-soaked Sunday of twists, strategy, and perhaps an upset
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Couse Weekend Schedule
Thursday July 3
12:00-12:45 USF Juniors Test 1 (45)
1:00-1:45 USF2000 Test 1 (45)
2:00-2:45 USF Pro 2000 Test 1 (45)
3:00-3:45 USF Juniors Test 2 (45)
4:00-4:45 USF2000 Test 2 (45)
5:00-5:45 USF Pro 2000 Test 2 (45)
Friday July 4
8:05-8:35 USF Juniors Practice (30)
8:55-9:25 USF2000 Practice (30)
9:45-10:15 USF Pro 2000 Practice (30)
10:35-11:05 USF Juniors Q (30) Streaming: YouTube Poles: Ty Fisher, Starting Grid
11:25-11:55 USF2000 Q (30) Streaming: YouTube Poles: Thomas Schrage, Starting Grid
12:15-12:45 USF Pro 2000 Q (30) Streaming: YouTube Poles: Max Garcia, Starting Grid
1:05-1:45 USF Juniors R#1 (40) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Leonardo Escorpioni, Results
2:05-2:45 USF2000 Race #1 (40) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Caleb Gafrarar, Results
3:05-3:50 INDY NXT P1 (45) TV/Streaming: FS2 Lochie Hughes fastest, Speeds
4:35-5:55 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 – Groups (80) TV/Streaming: FS2 Will Power fastest, Speeds
Saturday July 5
8:30-9:20 INDY NXT P2 (45) TV/Streaming: FS1 Caio Collet fastest
9:40-10:15 USF Juniors R#2 (35) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Ty Fisher, Results
10:30-11:35 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (45 Limited Guarantee) TV/Streaming: FS1 Alex Palou fastest
11:55-12:45 USF Pro 2000 Race #1 (50) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Max Garcia, Results
1:30-2:00 INDY NXT Qual (30) TV/Streaming: FS1
2:30-4:00 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qual. / Firestone Fast 6 (85) TV/Streaming: FS1 Pole: Alex Palou, Starting Grid
4:20-5:00 USF2000 Race #2 (40) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Jack Jeffers, Results
5:15-6:05 USF Pro 2000 R #2 (50) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Max Garcia, Results
Sunday July 6
8:20-9:00 USF2000 Race #3 (40) Streaming: YouTube Winner: Jack Jeffers, Results
9:30-10:00 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup (25) TV/Streaming: FS1 Felix Rosenqvist fastest, Speeds
10:30-11:30 INDY NXT Race, Green Flag 10:36-11:31 (35 laps or 55 mins) TV/Streaming: FS1 Winner: Dennis Hauger, Results
1:00 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race, Green Flag 1:22 (90 laps) TV/Streaming: FOX Winner: Scott Dixon, Results
Previous Winners
NTT IndyCar Series: Pato O’Ward (2024), Alex Palou (2023), Scott McLaughlin (2022), Josef Newgarden (2021), Colton Herta (2020-2), Will Power (2020-1), Scott Dixon (2019), Alexander Rossi (2018)
Indy NXT: Caio Collet
Weather
Race-week weather is shaping up to be mostly hot with scattered storms early in the week, clearing to warm and humid conditions by the weekend. Mid-Ohio’s track surface could heat to the mid-90s°F, impacting tire performance. Sunday, July 6 forecasts show sun through high clouds with a high near 89°F and lingering humidity. A dry race is likely, but with occasional pop-up storms in the region during July, teams will monitor radar closely.
