By: Spencer Neff
September 3, 2023

2023 BitNile.com Grand Prix of Portland Results

Needing a podium finish to secure the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou turned in another dominant performance to win Sunday’s BitNile.com Grand Prix of Portland at the Portland International Raceway, leading 69 of 110 laps on the 12-turn, 1.964-mile road course in Oregon.

In the process, Palou also clinched his second INDYCAR Championship (2021) over his teammate Scott Dixon. It is the ninth victory of his career and a series-leading fifth in 2023.

Palou’s championship is the first since 2007 (Sebastien Bourdais) to be decided prior to the season finale. It is the first in a unified series in 29 years (Al Unser Jr.-1994),

After starting fifth, the Spaniard made his way to the lead during the first sequence of pit stops in the race.

Portland International Raceway becomes the second track where he’s earned multiple victories, joining Road America. Eight of his nine career victories have been on permanent road courses. His other victory (Detroit 2023) was on a temporary street circuit.

He finished the afternoon 5.4353 seconds ahead of Felix Rosenqvist of Arrow McLaren, the highest-finishing Chevrolet.

Bookending the podium for CGR, Scott Dixon fell short of a third consecutive victory and will finish second in this year’s championship. It is also the organization’s first 1-2 championship finish since 2009 (Dario Franchitti and Dixon). CGR now has 15 Driver Championships

Rosenqvist’s teammate Pato O’Ward and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden rounded out the Top Five. Rinus VeeKay of Ed Carpenter Racing earned a season-best finish of sixth place. After earning his second pole in the last three races, Graham Rahal finished 12th after leading the first 21 laps.

Making his series debut, Juri Vips of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing was the best performing rookie of six in today’s 27-car field. The Estonian started and finished 18th.

Race Recap

Although the 27-car field made it through a notoriously daunting Turn 1 relatively unscathed, that would not remain the case on the opening lap. Andretti Autosport’s Romain Grosjean sustained front wing damage after contact with Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Callum Ilott, effectively putting his day to an end.

On Lap 3, Will Power spun in Turn while battling Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi for fifth place. The 2022 INDYCAR Champion stalled, prompting the first caution of the afternoon. On Lap 7., the race would return to green flag conditions with Rahal maintaining his lead.

Palou would inherit the lead after Rahal pitted for primary Firestone tires and held the lead until he made the switch to the alternates on Lap 31. Following Palou’s switch back to primary tires on Lap 48, Dixon would again inherit the lead.

On Lap 60, Dixon would head to pit road to fulfill his mandated stint on the alternate tires, swapping the lead back to Palou.

After Palou, Dixon and others pitted, Juncos Hollinger Racing’s rookie Agustin Canapino went off track in Turn 10 before spinning between Turns 11 and 12. Rosenqvist, who was on pit road when Canapino spun, was able to complete his stop and remain in second.

Palou would get a solid restart on Lap 91 and never look back en route to the race and championship victory.

Following two cautions for six laps, the 110-lap race finished with an average speed of 110.758 mph. The lead changed hands nine times between five drivers in the 2023 season’s penultimate race.

Up Next

The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES draws to a close next weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.

The 75-minute opening practice at the 2.238-mile, 11-turn permanent road course in Salinas, California is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8. Second practice (60 minutes) will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET. Qualifying (three rounds) is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. that day.

Race Day begins with a 30-minute warmup at 12:00 p.m. and the 95-lap race at 3:00 p.m. (NBC Broadcast at 2:30). All sessions will stream live on Peacock in addition to the race’s streaming option.

Stay with IndyCar1909 for the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR