IndyCar Series Preview: Java House Grand Prix of Monterey

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, California
Sunday, July 27, 2025 – Green Flag: 3:22 PM ET
Broadcast: FOX | Streaming: IndyCar Live, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV

Race Overview

The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey marks Round 14 of the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series, bringing the field to the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Known for its dramatic elevation changes and the legendary Corkscrew turn, this 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course will host 95 laps of high-speed strategy and precision driving. With just four races remaining, championship leader Alex Palou holds a commanding 99-point lead over Pato O’Ward, but the title fight is still alive. Expect aggressive setups, tire gambles, and push-to-pass fireworks as contenders jockey for position on one of the most technically demanding tracks in North America.

Track Profile: Laguna Seca

Length: 2.238 miles (3.602 km)

Turns: 11

Race Distance: 212.6 miles (342.1 km)

Push-to-Pass: 150 seconds total, max 15 seconds per use

Hybrid Deployment: Unlimited activation, max 415 kJ per lap

Tire Allocation: 5 sets primary, 5 sets alternate; rookies get 1 extra set for Practice 1

Drivers to Watch

Alex Palou – Chip Ganassi Racing

Championship Leader (536 pts)

2024 Winner & Pole Sitter at Laguna Seca

4 Wins on Road Courses in 2025

Strengths: Qualifying dominance, tire management, race pace

Notes: Has led the championship all season; swept this event last year

Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren

2nd in Standings (437 pts)

Back-to-Back Wins Entering This Weekend

Best Finish at Laguna Seca: P4

Strengths: Late-race aggression, pit strategy

Notes: Needs a podium to keep title hopes alive

Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing

5th in Standings (317 pts)

2023 Winner at Laguna Seca

Strengths: Experience, consistency, racecraft

Notes: Will make his 416th career start, extending his all-time record

Christian Lundgaard – Arrow McLaren

Track Record Holder (1:06.4610)

Best Finish at Laguna Seca: P2

Notes: Strong qualifying form and road course pace

Rookie Spotlight

Louis Foster (RLL Racing) – Swept INDY NXT doubleheader here in 2024

Robert Shwartzman (PREMA Racing) – Making Laguna Seca debut

Jacob Abel (Dale Coyne Racing) – First IndyCar start at this circuit

Notes: Foster leads Rookie of the Year battle by a razor-thin margin

Championship Picture

Driver	Points	Wins
Alex Palou	536	7
Pato O’Ward	437	2
Kyle Kirkwood	398	3
Scott Dixon	317	1

Elimination Threshold: Any driver trailing by 162+ points after this race will be out of title contention

Historical Note: The winner at Laguna Seca has gone on to win the championship 7 times, including Palou in 2024

Betting Insights

Best Value: Lundgaard – track record holder with podium potential

Sleeper Pick: Colton Herta – two-time winner at Laguna Seca (2019, 2021)

Fade Alert: Team Penske – winless at this track since 2000

Winner: Alex Palou – dominant road course form and Laguna Seca mastery
Podium: Palou, O’Ward, Lundgaard
Wildcard: Dixon surges late if strategy plays out