Today’s question: With knowledge of recent results at World Wide Technology Raceway, who is most likely to earn their first victory of 2026 this Sunday at the 1.25-mile oval in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Presented by Axalta and Valvoline?

Christian Rasmussen

Curt Cavin: Pato O’Ward (four second-place finishes at this track) was my first thought, but I’ll go with the driver who has been the star of the past two short-oval races. That would be Christian Rasmussen, who overhauled Alex Palou to win last year’s race at the Milwaukee Mile, then dominated the March 7 race at Phoenix Raceway before misjudging Will Power’s car. Rasmussen (photo, above and top) led 69 laps that day and would have led more if not for the race-ending contact. Aside from Alexander Rossi earning a front-row start at Indy, ECR hasn’t had a good two-plus months, but a win would put the bounce back in its step. Look for Rossi to also challenge for a top-five finishing position.

David Malukas

Eric Smith: I think it comes down to Team Penske teammates Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas, but I'll take Malukas for the win. World Wide Technology Raceway is arguably Malukas' best track. He finished second there in 2022, third in 2023 and was a contender in both 2024 and 2025, leading laps in each race. His oval speed also showed this season at Phoenix (photo, above), where he won the pole, led a race-high 73 laps and finished third. He was runner-up in the Indy 500 the last two years. There's also a fitting storyline. In his 2022 runner-up finish, Malukas battled Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and McLaughlin for the victory while driving for Dale Coyne Racing, saying “Those are Penske’s” in disbelief. Now he's a Penske driver himself. Earning his first career INDYCAR SERIES win at a track where he's consistently excelled would make for a perfect full-circle moment.

Marcus Armstrong

Arni Sribhen: Marcus Armstrong didn’t even race ovals as an NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie, but they’ve become a strength for the young Kiwi. The Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian driver (photo, above) has a pair of fifth-place finishes on ovals this season (ranking fifth among all drivers in oval points) and his team is still riding the high of the Indianapolis 500 win a few weeks ago. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Armstrong, who posted his last podium on the oval at Iowa Speedway last summer, find his way to the top step this weekend.

Pato O'Ward

Paul Kelly: Curt pivoted from Pato O’Ward, but I’m sticking with him as my pick to break through and win this Sunday night at the track formerly known as Gateway. It’s been a weird season for the Arrow McLaren driver (photo, above), who attracts more eyeballs than anyone in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. He has recorded six top-five finishes in eight starts but no podium results and just 19 laps led. It’s odd to say this about the most charismatic driver in the series in and out of the cockpit, but he has been largely anonymous this year due to his string of fourth- and fifth-place finishes. That changes Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, where O’Ward has finished second a stunning four times without a win. He’s overdue for a victory, and it happens this weekend.