Simon Pagenaud has run just 25 oval races in his lifetime.Hell complete two more between now and Aug. 27, and how the 32-year old Frenchman fares in those races at Pocono Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway could be the determining factor in whether he is able to secure his first Verizon IndyCar Series championship.On the strength of four road racing wins, including the most recent IndyCar event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Pagenaud leads his Team Penske teammates Will Power and Helio Castroneves in the standings by 58 and 111 points respectively.With four races remaining that will unfold quickly over the next five weeks -- Pocono, the continuance of the rained-out Texas race that started in June, and natural terrain road courses Sonoma and Watkins Glen -- Pagenauds points lead is comfortable but not quite cushy. Adding a couple quality results on the Pocono and Texas ovals could end the championship drama early, and Pagenaud believes hes ready for that breakthrough oval victory.I think were there, really, he said. I think this year we took a big step forward. For the first time on the short ovals, weve shown a lot of strength -- second at Phoenix, and we were running second for the whole race at Iowa before we had a little bit of a mechanical issue at the end and finished fourth. At Indy, I felt we would have contended for the win as well if we didnt have another mechanical issue.At Texas, I felt really strong during the race -- he was running 15th after a pit stop when the red flag flew after 71 of 248 laps -- and I was disappointed we had to go home. But this year has been a big step forward. Ive had a tremendous car and we found stuff that I really like that gives me confidence to keep pushing on ovals.For a lifelong road racer like Pagenaud, adapting to oval racing isnt as simple as it seems. Aside from learning the nuances of driving a car set up to only turn left, the races unfold at a faster pace, and pit strategy can play a much bigger role.Power won a half-distance twin?race at Texas in 2011 in his 24th oval start but felt he carried a burden for not winning a full-length race until he won the 2013 season finale at Fontana.Castroneves, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, required 29 oval starts before scoring his first win. Four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti made 45 starts over nearly five full years before scoring his first oval triumph in 2001.Im better at the game, Pagenaud said. At the end of the day, its a game: How does the race play out? On a road course for me, its very natural. On an oval, Im still learning how it plays out in the end. Its always in the last 30 laps that you win the race.Now I feel like Im there, he added. Its just a matter of time and having the opportunity.The first chance comes at Pocono, the unique 2.5-mile Pennsylvania tri-oval. With 500 miles on tap Sunday, theres ample opportunity for anything to happen.Pagenauds 58-point cushion with four races to go is the largest lead a driver has enjoyed at this point in the season since 2010. Team Penske drivers have led the standings with four to go four times in the past six years but failed to convert the late advantage into a championship.Holding down the top three spots in the standings this year, Penske looks likely to get the job done. Josef Newgarden lies fourth in the standings but will not restart the Texas race after crashing out of the first segment. Four-time IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing is next up, 127 points behind Pagenaud.Running 1-2-3 is a good problem for Roger and for the entire team, Pagenaud said. This team works so hard and deserves to do so well. They leave nothing unturned. I just want to be the one who gives them that gift of winning the championship. Being 1-2-3 in the championship is amazing, and I hope we finish that way. But I just want to bring these guys what they deserve.Power, who missed the season opener with concussion-like symptoms, has done an excellent job in rebounding to become Pagenauds closest championship contender. The Australian knows he needs to be virtually perfect over the next four races to defeat his teammate.We have a lot of momentum right now, and Pocono is a track that weve had some good performances, Power said. Were in the championship hunt, and thats all I could ask at this point after missing the first race.While much attention is focused on the frosty relationship between Mercedes-Benz F1 teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, the four Team Penske IndyCar drivers get along famously. Power and Pagenaud sometimes clashed as Indy car rookies in the Champ Car-sanctioned series in 2007, but the past two years under the Penske umbrella have been harmonious.I wouldnt say we had a bad relationship, Pagenaud said of his 07 pairing with Power at Walker Racing. Back then it was more a language barrier. Now its a different deal because I understand the subtlety of the language and weve had a really good two years together.The Penske duo has had several memorable on-track battles this year, most notably at Detroit Belle Isle and in the most recent race at Mid-Ohio. Pagenauds race-winning pass on Power was a thing of beauty, the two Penske cars running side-by-side for most of a lap, occasionally banging into each other, before Pagenaud finally muscled ahead.Pagenaud and Power have demonstrated all season that they are this years top IndyCar Series drivers. And even though the championship seems to be playing out within the confines of one team, things have never been boring for the fans -- or the main protagonists.For me, its really enjoyable, said Pagenaud. Will is driving really well, and we know we have the best cars. At the end of the day, youve got to take your gloves off and go for it, but that doesnt mean you cant get along outside the racetrack or outside the car.Obviously when it comes crunch time, were probably not going to have our ice cream together, he added. But still, were going to be back at the trailer together to talk. I mean, we have to be together because were fighting to be first and second, and for that we need to work together. Greg Maddux Jersey . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Yu Darvish Jersey .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Mark-Grace-Kids-Jersey/ . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Billy Williams Cubs Jersey . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ben Zobrist Cubs Jersey . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard.Its time for another London extravaganza in the NFL after a foray to the rugby bastion of Twickenham. The NFL returns to Wembley with a clash between the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 1pm. In a must-win game for both sides, Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, the leagues top-paid corner, will face a test in Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, who has made the most catches and second-most receiving yards of any player. QUIZ: NFL @ Wembley Take our quiz to find out if youre an expert on the history of NFL at Wembley Stadium... Hes at the top of his (game). Its cool to see talent like that come out here that we get to match up with. Its always an opportunity to get better, and he is a person you can do that with, said Norman, who missed most of the second half of the Redskins loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday after sustaining a concussion. WATCH: Who Dey? AJ Green discusses the Cincinnati Bengals Who Dey Nation Green, who has 50 catches for 775 yards and three touchdowns, has had three games already this season with at least 169 yards. That output was on display against the Cleveland Browns, when he caught eight passes including one from 48 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter.Redskins coach Jay Gruden will face his former team for the first time and feels it will be an important game for the 4-3 Redskins, but cant contain his excitement and nostalgia about going up against old boss Marvin Lewis. Norman and Reed fly to London Josh Norman and Jordan Reed fly to London with Redskins The sights and sounds of previous NFL International Series matches in London as Wembley gears up for the Redskins clash against the Bengals The former Bengals offensive coordinator from 2011-2013 said: I cant wait. Really, it sounds funny its such a big game for us. I really dont care where we play them. I just cant wait to play the game.The Bengals (3-4) are defending AFC North champions, but got flattened in Dallas and New England before beating winless Cleveland 31-17 at home last week and will be desperate to win. Washington Redskins: Who to Watch Washington Redskins: Who to Watch ahead of Bengals clash The New England Patriots will try avenge an embarrassing 16-0 home defeat to the Bills when they travel to Buffalo in the second game of the night, live from 5pm.That game four weeks ago marked the first time the Pats had failed to score in a game since 2006. But it also marked the fourth game of superstar quarterback Tom Bradys Deflategate suspension, with backup Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined by a shoulder injury and third-string rookie Jacoby Brissett getting the start despite a thumb injury. Highlights of the Buffalo Bills clash with the New England Patriots in week four of the NFL Fan Predictions: Graves v Bills Richard Graves goes up against the Bills Backers in NFL week eight Since Bradys return New England have beaten Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh by a combined 49 points.ddddddddddddBills coach Rex Ryan admitted his team would face a different Patriots squad this time around.The last time was a great time to play them, Ryan said. Ill admit, it was probably an easier game to play them without (Brady); Im here to say it was easier. NFL Wembley: Ways to Watch Washington Redskins @ Cincinnati Bengals live from Wembley Highlights of the Chicago Bears clash with the Green Bay Packers in week seven of the NFL The final game of the night sees the Atlanta Falcons (4-3) host the Green Bay Packers (4-2) in a big NFC showdown, live from 8.30pm.The Falcons started October with back-to-back wins over last years Super Bowl teams, Carolina and Denver but then suffered a two-point loss at Seattle followed by a crushing overtime loss at home to San Diego last weekend.Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers found some form in Thursday nights victory over Chicago and will hope to repeat that form at the Georgia Dome. Cincinnati Bengals: Who to watch We look at the key players on Cincinnatis roster WATCH: Redskins @ Bengals Watch Sundays NFL clash at Wembley Stadium on Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Check our updates from the game between the Redskins @ Bengals at Wembley on skysports.com/NFL, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportsNFL this Sunday or catch the action, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 1pm. Also See: NFL Wembley: Ways to Watch WATCH: Harry Potter Sherman Washington Redskins: Who to Watch Fan Predictions: Graves v Bills ' ' '