The 2025 IndyCar Series season continues its thrilling journey with the upcoming race in Long Beach, California. This iconic street circuit, encircling the city’s convention center, presents a challenging 90-lap race over an 11-turn, 1.968-mile track. Drivers will utilize 200 seconds of push-to-pass functionality throughout the competition. The event marks a slight change from previous years, which featured 85 laps. Notably, Alex Palou has already made waves this season by securing victories in both opening races at St. Petersburg and Thermal, positioning him strongly in championship points. Meanwhile, last year's Long Beach race saw Scott Dixon narrowly triumphing over Colton Herta, with further drama involving Josef Newgarden.

As anticipation builds for this weekend's showdown, attention turns to Alex Palou, who is rapidly establishing himself as a formidable force within the series. His consistent performances have set high expectations for his participation in Long Beach. Historically, Palou has excelled on this particular track, never finishing outside the top five in four starts and achieving multiple podium finishes. Additionally, Colton Herta remains a strong contender, having demonstrated impressive pace during earlier races and qualifying sessions.

Long Beach promises not only intense racing but also intriguing strategic battles concerning tire management. Each team receives five sets of primary (hard) and five sets of alternate (soft) tires for use across the event weekend. Rookie drivers benefit slightly more with access to an extra set of primary tires. Regulations require teams to employ one set of primary and one new alternate tire for at least two laps during the race, adding another layer of complexity to their planning.

Beyond individual driver prowess, the race schedule offers fans ample opportunities to engage with various practice sessions, qualifications, and the main event itself. Coverage begins on Friday evening with practice rounds airing on FS1 before transitioning into Saturday's activities culminating in Sunday's live broadcast on Fox. Expert predictions suggest that while Palou may retain favoritism due to his current form, surprises such as Prema's Callum Ilott breaking into the top ten cannot be ruled out entirely.

This year's IndyCar Series continues to captivate audiences worldwide through its competitive spirit and unpredictable outcomes. As teams prepare strategies tailored specifically for Long Beach's unique demands, all eyes remain fixed on whether Palou can extend his winning streak or if another driver might seize victory amidst fierce rivalry and technical challenges inherent in street racing environments like those found along Southern California's coastline.