Background on Pato O’Ward and his Relevance
Patricio “Pato” O’Ward, a Mexican racing driver, has been making waves in the IndyCar Series. Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, O’Ward represents the Arrow McLaren team. His recent victory at the Iowa Speedway not only marks his eighth career win but also elevates him to second place in the 2025 IndyCar Series driver standings.
Iowa Speedway Double-Header Race Recap
The Iowa Speedway hosted two races this weekend, the 11th and 12th of the 17-race IndyCar Series season. O’Ward shone in both events, securing a memorable victory in the 11th race.
- Race 11: O’Ward won with a time of 1:46:00, leading 33 out of 275 laps.
- Podium Finish: He finished ahead of Josef Newgarden (+0.23) and Will Power (+1.21).
O’Ward expressed his excitement, stating, “This is incredible. We’ve been waiting for this moment all year. My 50th career race here in Iowa also resulted in a win, making this an even more special story.”
Career Milestones and Current Standings
O’Ward’s victory in Iowa marked his 100th IndyCar Series race, having started competing in the series in 2018. He now boasts eight race wins, including triumphs at Texas, Detroit (2021), Alabama and Iowa (2022), San Petersburgo, Ohio, and Milwaukee (2024), with Iowa 2025 being his latest victory.
Before the Iowa double-header, O’Ward was third in the 2025 IndyCar Series driver standings. His second-place position now stands at 386 points, trailing the leader Álex Palou (515 points) from Spain. Scott Dixon of New Zealand occupies third place with 342 points.
Impact on the IndyCar Series Standings
O’Ward’s fifth-place finish in the second Iowa race on Sunday added 30 more points to his total of 51 from Saturday, further solidifying his position in the standings.
With only five races remaining in the 2025 IndyCar Series season, O’Ward aims to maintain his second-place standing and secure the best performance of his career in this prestigious competition. The series features top international drivers from countries like Mexico, Brazil, Sweden, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, and more.
O’Ward has yet to secure a second-place finish in the IndyCar Series driver standings, with his highest result being third place in 2021. He remains closely behind Palou, with Dixon, Kyle Kirkwood, and Christian Lundgaard close behind in the top five.
“I’m super excited for the entire Arrow McLaren team. This was our first victory of the season, just like mine. I’m glad to have had this opportunity and am looking forward to repeating it. This car is fantastic,” O’Ward said after his win.
Upcoming Races
The next IndyCar Series race is scheduled for July 20th in Toronto, Canada. Following this, races will take place in California, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, concluding the 30-race season on August 31st. O’Ward will aim to maintain his second-place standing in the driver standings during these remaining races.
Arrow McLaren currently holds second place in the Team Standings with 356 points, trailing Chip Ganassi Racing, which leads with 461 points after the Iowa double-header.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Pato O’Ward? Pato O’Ward is a Mexican racing driver representing Arrow McLaren in the IndyCar Series.
- What is his current standing in the IndyCar Series? Pato O’Ward is currently second in the 2025 IndyCar Series driver standings with 386 points.
- What recent achievements has he accomplished? O’Ward won the 11th race of the IndyCar Series season at Iowa Speedway, marking his eighth career victory.
- How many races remain in the 2025 IndyCar Series season? There are five races remaining in the 2025 IndyCar Series season.
