Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou recently secured a win at Road America, starting from second on the grid and leading multiple laps during the race. Although Palou was initially unhappy with the strategic decisions made by his team, he acknowledged their crucial role in achieving victory.
The Spaniard, driving the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, earned his sixth win of the season and his third triumph at this particular track. Palou led six out of the 55 laps and celebrated returning to the top step of the podium after two races without a win.
Speaking to the media after the race, Palou described the challenge of the event and admitted to feeling grumpy with Barry Wanser, the team manager at Chip Ganassi Racing, over the calls made during the race. He shared,
“I didn’t agree with Barry’s strategy call. I got to be grumpy for a couple of laps, and then I saw it was working out, and I started saying thank you again. It was interesting, but for sure, we got the win because of the team that we had on both pit stops and strategy. They made it look really good, and HRC that gave us the mileage we needed to gamble and to make it with that stop that we did.”
—Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver
With this latest success, Palou reached 17 career IndyCar wins, placing him among the top 30 drivers in all-time victories. His strong performance solidifies his status as a leading contender in the current season.
Consistent Performance Keeps Palou Confident Amid Recent Setbacks
Before his Road America triumph, Palou faced some difficulties in recent races. At the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, he qualified ninth and finished eighth, while during the Detroit Grand Prix, a collision caused him to retire early. Despite these setbacks, Palou remains composed and steady in his pursuit of the championship.
Discussing his position in the title race with Bob Pockrass, Palou expressed that the last two challenges did not increase pressure on him. He said,
“It didn’t add any pressure at all just because I didn’t ever think that it was done or it was ours or anything like that. I knew that we just had a perfect start of the season, and obviously you could see a big point difference.”
—Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver
He added,
“I expect that it’s going to get very tight. It’s going to make it interesting. I just hope that we are there at the end to fight for it,”
—Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver
Currently, Palou leads the championship standings with 386 points, maintaining a substantial 93-point advantage over Kyle Kirkwood, who is in second place. His strong early season has positioned him as a serious contender for his fourth drivers‘ title.
Palou’s Season Pace and What Lies Ahead
Alex Palou’s dominant 2025 season has included six wins out of nine races, highlighted by a historic victory at the Indianapolis 500, where he became the first Spanish driver to win the event. His skillful driving and the support from Chip Ganassi Racing and Honda have been vital to his success on various tracks.
Despite moments of disagreement with strategic decisions, Palou’s ability to rely on his team’s experience and quick pit stops has been instrumental in maintaining a strong championship challenge. As the season progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, and Palou aims to be at the forefront, fighting to secure his next title.
