​Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Arrow McLaren Pato O’Ward Pato O’Ward (5) during practice at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesThere is one more race of the 2026 NTT IndyCar season, and everything is still at stake. As they take on Laguna Seca for the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey, drivers look to go out with a bang, whether they’ll be returning to the series or not. Alex Palou has nothing to lose, however. After placing higher than Kyle Kirkwood in both races at the Milwaukee Mile, his fifth championship was secured. This was his fourth consecutive championship, and despite not winning both races, he proved why he deserved it.Since he didn’t get the results he may have wanted, Palou is likely to give it his all this race. He’s shown dominance at Laguna Seca before, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he did once again.The two runner-ups have the most to prove in this season finale. Christian Lundgaard and Kirkwood are only separated by two points. For Lundgaard, this race can help secure a seat for the 2027 season, as he is still unsigned. There’s a chance he can take Scott Dixon’s Chip Ganassi seat, and this is the best chance for him to prove that he’s earned it. Lundgaard is known for his dominance on road courses. He won the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. Lundgaard is a potential winner at Laguna Seca with his road course abilities.On the other side, Kirkwood’s shown dominance on street courses all throughout the season. He’s got two wins this season, and nine top-five finishes. Both wins come from brand new street circuits, the Grand Prix of Arlington and the Freedom 250. He can take over Lundgaard with a strong performance and placing above him.Speaking of Arrow McLaren drivers, Pato O’Ward is coming off of a strong weekend at the Milwaukee Mile. Not only did he win both races, but he won two races on the same day. O’Ward is currently fourth in the standings behind Kirkwood, just behind by two points. He can prove why he’s McLaren’s star driver with a strong performance this weekend.Other drivers have had solid weekends on road courses, including Will Power. Power has stayed at consistent performance rate this season, and he’s earned a few podiums as well. Power has been a sleeper all season, and is close to getting his first victory with Andretti.The Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca circuit was built in 1957 for the Pebble Beach Road Races. It became a permanent course after they outgrew racing in the Del Monte forest, which started in 1950. The first race at the track was held on Nov. 7, 1957, in which Pete Lovely and his Ferrari 500 TR took the victory. The track currently sits at 2.238 miles long, featuring the infamous Corkscrew turn, which is a 5.5 story drop in elevation. In 1996, Alex Zanardi passed Bryan Herta on the corkscrew, on the last lap of the CART race to secure th