Indianapolis, Indiana – Alex Palou achieved a milestone that will define his career and echo throughout IndyCar history, capturing the first oval victory of his career at the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Palou’s triumph was more than just a personal achievement; it marked a historic moment as he became the first Spaniard to win the storied race. The 200-lap classic, which began 43 minutes late due to light sprinkles, unfolded as a dramatic, strategic, and unpredictable contest, ultimately rewarding precision, patience, and timing.
“Best milk I’ve ever tasted,” Palou said after his victory. “It tastes so good. What an amazing feeling.” His words captured both the tradition of the Indianapolis 500 and the intensity of the achievement. For Palou, who had previously excelled on road and street circuits, mastering the oval represented a different challenge altogether, one that required skill, focus, and strategic patience.
The race itself began under cool temperatures in the low 60s with thick cloud cover, setting the stage for a tumultuous opening half. Six of the seven cautions occurred within the first 108 laps, eliminating seven cars from contention. Among the early victims were notable competitors such as Scott McLaughlin, Marco Andretti, and NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, whose ambitious attempt to compete in the Indy 500 as part of a “double” ended in a Lap 91 crash. The frequent interruptions forced drivers and teams to adjust their strategies constantly, turning the first half of the race into a careful balancing act between aggression and caution.
Once the field settled, strategy, traffic management, and fuel conservation became the key factors. Palou executed a masterful plan, making his final pit stop on Lap 168 and stretching the limits of fuel mileage in what would become a decisive maneuver. David Malukas briefly cycled to the lead before pitting on Lap 170, opening the door for Marcus Ericsson, who rejoined just ahead of Palou after his final stop on Lap 175.
Palou’s move came on Lap 187. Shadowing Ericsson in the draft, he conserved fuel while observing the Swede navigate through lapped traffic. When the moment presented itself, Palou dove underneath into Turn 1, seizing the lead for the final time. From that point on, he never trailed, and the race concluded under caution after rookie Nolan Siegel crashed in Turn 2 on the final lap. The decisive timing of Palou’s pass showcased not only his skill but also his maturity and strategic acumen on the oval.
“It’s going to make Alex Palou’s career, it’s going to make his life, and it certainly has made mine,” said team owner Chip Ganassi. The victory represented Ganassi Racing’s sixth Indianapolis 500 win and the team’s first since Marcus Ericsson’s triumph in 2022. The win underscored both the team’s legacy and its continued ability to nurture new talent to victory on the sport’s biggest stage.
Post-race inspections brought additional drama. Ericsson initially finished second, but both his car and teammate Kyle Kirkwood’s failed post-race inspection, relegating them to 31st and 32nd, respectively. Callum Ilott’s No. 90 car also failed inspection, dropping from 12th to 33rd. This reshuffling elevated David Malukas to second place, marking a career-best Indy 500 finish for the driver of the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Enterprises. Pato O’Ward, who has consistently finished in the top four over the last five years, claimed third in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, still searching for his first appearance on the victory podium. Felix Rosenqvist finished fourth, and Santino Ferrucci rounded out the top five.
Other notable stories included Josef Newgarden, whose attempt to become the first driver to win three consecutive Indianapolis 500s ended with mechanical trouble after 135 laps, leaving him 25th. Rookie pole sitter Robert Shwartzman also saw his race unravel after sliding through his pit box on Lap 87, striking the inside wall and several crew members, finishing 29th.
For Palou, however, all of the chaos, strategy, and caution periods culminated in a historic and well-earned triumph. His victory was a masterclass in timing, strategy, and patience, highlighting his ability to read the race and execute when it mattered most. It was a win that not only etched his name into the Indianapolis 500 record books but also signaled the arrival of a new oval star capable of taking on the biggest stages in motorsports.
From the chaotic early laps to the precision of his final pass, Alex Palou’s performance at the 109th Indianapolis 500 will be remembered as a defining moment in his career, a historic first for Spanish motorsports, and a demonstration of skill, patience, and strategic brilliance on one of the most challenging circuits in racing.
