INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Colton Herta arrives in Indianapolis with big goals every May.

He hopes to win two poles, dreams of sipping the milk and believes a win at the series’ marquee race just might catapult him to that elusive series title.

But this is not just another May. For the first time in his IndyCar career, the 24-year-old American comes to town sitting atop the crowded standings by the narrowest possible margin, one point, and barely ahead of three multi-time series champs. And yet, Herta refuses to allow the pressure to taint his chase.

“It’s cool, I’ve never experienced it,” Herta said. “It’s doesn’t really make a difference. It’s still so early. I think (Alex) Palou basically won the championship (last year) with a race to go. It was such a big gap, it didn’t really affect you. So you can change the championship later.”

Herta would like to keep things this way through the Sept. 15 season finale at Nashville.