Today’s question: In 10 of the last 12 years, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner was fourth or lower in points entering the event. Which driver outside of the top five in the current NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings do you think will win the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this Sunday?

Will Power

Curt Cavin: This is a terrific question, and my inclination was to pick Josef Newgarden, who hasn’t had a top-five season though he’s fifth in the standings, thanks to his win at Phoenix Raceway. So, I’ll go a different direction. Give me Will Power (photo, above), who now drives for the team that has won six of the past 14 street races over the past four seasons. Andretti Global has won five such races with series points leader Kyle Kirkwood and one with Colton Herta (in a race where Kirkwood finished second). Power is also due to some good fortune after a challenging start to the season that has him 13th after four races. But here’s something surprising I dug up: While Power is regarded as one of the sport’s best street racers with a pair of Long Beach wins, he has won only one street race since 2016 (at Belle Isle Park in 2022). Seems like that’s about to change.

Eric Smith: Give me Marcus Ericsson (photo, top), who is eighth in points. Andretti Global has won five of the last seven Long Beach races, and Ericsson fits the mold. He owns four career victories, three coming on street circuits -- all at different tracks, but none yet at Long Beach. He’s been close, finishing third in 2023 and fifth in 2024. He’s also shown strong pace on street courses this season with an average starting position of 1.5. This feels like the weekend Ericsson breaks through and shines under the California sun.

Scott Dixon

Arni Sribhen: When I think of a driver who fits the criteria of outside the top five in the championship yet a bona fide contender at Long Beach, I start and end with Scott Dixon (photo, above). The six-time INDYCAR SERIES champion is a two-time winner at Long Beach, and a recent victor, as well, having taken the win in 2024 using strategy and execution. With the tire rules mandating at least two pit stops, that could play out in his favor again. Street races often turn into strategy battles, which plays directly into his strengths. Dixon is widely regarded as one of the smartest drivers in the INDYCAR SERIES when it comes to fuel strategy and tire management – skills that have directly won him races at Long Beach. If Dixon can qualify even mid-pack, his racecraft, strategy and Long Beach history make him a serious contender to control the race on Sunday.

Scott McLaughlin

Paul Kelly: I had a mental tug-of-war on this one, as my mind made compelling cases for Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin. Arrow McLaren is due to win for the first time this season, but I’ll give the edge to Scotty Mac, for one reason: He already has shown field-leading speed on a street circuit in 2026. McLaughlin (photo, above) won the NTT P1 Award at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and finished second in the race. That’s better than O’Ward’s finishes of fifth at both street races this season, at St. Pete and Arlington. That said, three of O’Ward’s nine career victories have come on street circuits, with McLaughlin grabbing just one of his seven wins on the streets. Ah, the heck with it: I’m going with McLaughlin, more with my gut than anything else.