Indianapolis, Indiana – Alex Palou is in the middle of something extraordinary—something that fans, competitors, and even the most seasoned observers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES haven’t witnessed in years. On Saturday, at the fabled Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, the Spanish driver delivered another masterclass behind the wheel, capturing victory in the Sonsio Grand Prix. It marked his fourth win in just five races this season and firmly cemented his grip on the 2025 championship standings.
Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing in the No. 10 DHL Honda, Palou crossed the finish line with a commanding 5.4840-second advantage over Pato O’Ward, who piloted the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. That margin might have been even greater had it not been for a rare full-course yellow, the first in over 400 laps of green-flag racing. Yet even with the field bunched up for a final push, Palou seemed unshaken. When the green flag waved again, he pulled away, just as he had done all day.
“I cannot describe the amazing season we’ve had so far,” Palou said after the race, visibly moved by the dominant run. “I owe everything to the team, Chip Ganassi Racing, my teammates, everybody who is working behind the scenes to make me look so fast on track. It’s amazing. It’s unbelievable.”
It was Palou’s third consecutive victory in the Sonsio Grand Prix, setting a new event record. More impressively, he became the first driver since Sebastien Bourdais in 2006 to win four of the first five races in an INDYCAR season. His 2025 campaign so far reads like something out of a dream: wins at St. Petersburg, Thermal, Barber, and now Indianapolis, plus a second-place finish at Long Beach.
With just five of 17 races completed, Palou has already amassed a 97-point lead in the standings—nearly two races’ worth—over his closest competitor, Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global.
“We need to do something to stop this 10 car,” said a half-joking, half-serious O’Ward. “These guys are really, really on a roll. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it, especially in INDYCAR.”
Saturday’s race showcased everything that makes Palou one of the most lethal drivers in the series today—his strategy, consistency, tire management, and calm under pressure. He didn’t lead the most laps; that honor went to Graham Rahal, who was out front for 49 circuits. But Palou knew how to bide his time, picking the perfect moment to make his move.
Rahal had taken the lead early, passing Palou in Turn 1 on Lap 2. For most of the race, he stayed there, thanks to a strong start and a tire strategy that initially seemed to give him the upper hand. Both drivers pitted together for their second stops, but the details of their tire choices made all the difference. Rahal’s team went with scuffed alternate tires, while Palou’s crew opted for fresh primary tires—a harder compound with more durability.
For a while, Rahal’s softer tires helped him keep the lead, but as the laps ticked by, Palou’s primary tires came into their own. With more life left in his rubber and additional Push-to-Pass boost in the bank, Palou began to reel Rahal in.
The decisive moment came on Lap 58. Palou attempted a move in Turns 1 and 2, which Rahal was able to defend. But as they wound through the infield section, Palou made a bold dive into Turn 7 and came out ahead. From that point on, he never looked back.
The lead ballooned to over four seconds in just four laps. Even after the yellow flag flew on Lap 70—triggered by David Malukas’ No. 4 AJ FOYT RACING Chevrolet coming to a stop in the grass—Palou didn’t flinch. On the Lap 72 restart, he held off O’Ward into Turn 1 and again started to disappear into the distance.
Behind the top two, Will Power grabbed his best finish of the season with a strong third-place run for Team Penske. His teammate, Scott McLaughlin, followed closely in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Palou’s Ganassi teammate and six-time series champion Scott Dixon, who continues to rack up solid points finishes.
With another win in his pocket and the rest of the field searching for answers, Palou’s attention now turns to the biggest prize of all—the Indianapolis 500, set for Sunday, May 25. It’s the one box left unchecked in his INDYCAR career, the one goal he has yet to achieve. Though he’s come close in past years, Victory Lane at the “500” has eluded him so far. Winning it this time would not only complete his résumé—it would mark a crowning moment in a season already touched by greatness.
“Hopefully we get to stay here (Victory Podium) again in a couple of weeks for the biggest race of the year,” Palou said with a wide grin.
After that, all eyes will be on the championship. Should Palou continue this torrid pace, he could become the first driver since Bourdais to win four titles in five years. And if he keeps racking up wins at this rate, the single-season record of 10 victories—held by legends A.J. Foyt and Al Unser—could also be in serious jeopardy.
For now, though, Palou is simply enjoying the ride. He’s calm, composed, and seems to be in perfect harmony with his team, his car, and his own instincts on the track. He’s not just winning—he’s doing it with a quiet dominance that speaks volumes.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said one team member. “It’s like everything is just clicking.”
Practice for the Indianapolis 500 begins at noon ET on Tuesday. If Palou keeps this form up, don’t be surprised to see him at the top of the pylon again—and maybe even drinking the milk in Victory Lane for the first time in his career.
In the ultra-competitive world of INDYCAR, dominance like this doesn’t happen often. But when it does, history remembers it. And right now, Alex Palou is writing one unforgettable chapter at a time.
