IndyCar set to return to World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Some live racing action is coming back to World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend, with IndyCar set to come out of it's summer break and head to Madison, Illinois to kick off the end stretch of the season.

Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou heads into the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 once again on top of the IndyCar standings, with a 49 point lead over second-place Will Power.

Power, the two-time IndyCar Champion who won the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 in 2018 and has finished on the podium two other times, says the race is a 'first-class event'.

"The promoters do a good job of it, it's a first-class event and we always get a big crowd," said Power on 'Sports On A Sunday Morning'. "I look forward to it beginning of a five race stretch to the championship."

Quite a few drivers are in the hunt for the title alongside with Palou and Power. Scott Dixon, Colton Herta, and Pato O'Ward all head into Madison, Illinois with a chance to try and put a dent into Palou's quest for a third IndyCar title in his relatively short time on the American open-wheel circuit.

"There's a lot on the line. There's a lot of people in the game, and it's really anyone's guess who will win the race and going to win this championship," said Power.

The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 is one of the final five races of the 2024 IndyCar season, with the season set to conclude in Nashville on Sept. 15 with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.

"Five races to go, and if you watched the season, it's been very up and down," said Power. "Right when you think it's over, if someone makes a mistake, you're right back in the game and a win puts you right back in the game.

"I foresee it being a tough battle until the end and I enjoy that stuff. I think it will be very good for the fans because it will tough to predict who going to win it."

The Bommarito Automotive 500 will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17 beginning at 5 p.m. Central Time. The weekend will also feature a Indy NXT race right before the Bommarito Automotive 500, with the race beginning at 2:55 p.m.