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Pato O’Ward’s Pit Strategy Delivers Toronto Victory, Cuts Palou’s Lead

A well-timed move onto primary tires, coupled with a flurry of cautions, paved the way for his second win of the season, narrowing the championship gap to 99 points.

Colton Herta (26) of the United States crosses the finish line to win the 2024 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy, in Toronto on Sunday, July 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
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Winner Pato O'Ward (left) of Mexico is sprayed down with champagne by second place Rinus VeekKay (centre) and Kyffin Simpson (right) on the victory podium for the 2025 Honda Indy in Toronto on Sunday, July 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Alex Palou, driver of the #10 DHL Team Ganassi Honda drives drives during qualifying for the NTT INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg during on March 01, 2025 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Overview

  • Pato O’Ward won the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto by switching from alternate to primary tires on lap three and capitalizing on early caution periods.
  • The victory marked O’Ward’s second win of the 2025 season and came on Exhibition Place’s 11-turn temporary street circuit, the only NTT IndyCar race held outside the U.S.
  • Rinus VeeKay secured second place for Dale Coyne Racing, while Kyffin Simpson climbed from 13th to earn his first career IndyCar podium.
  • Scott McLaughlin’s lost wheel on lap two triggered the first caution, and a series of incidents reshuffled running orders and amplified the importance of pit-stop timing.
  • O’Ward’s triumph cut Alex Palou’s championship cushion from 129 to 99 points with four races remaining, setting the stage for a tighter title battle.