The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES enters its unofficial second half this weekend with Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing firmly in control of the championship standings. Despite his substantial lead, 11 races remain, offering competitors several opportunities to challenge his dominance as the series continues at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Sunday.
The season’s schedule through mid-year includes a mix of street courses, permanent road circuits, and oval tracks. So far, only Palou and Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood have secured wins in 2025, but many teams and drivers are eager to break through and claim victory in the remaining contests.
Historic Winning Pace Defines Palou’s Campaign
This season, Palou has achieved an impressive five victories in the first six races, including his maiden IndyCar win at the Indianapolis 500. His performance echoes the success of his 2023 championship season, where he also notched five wins. The feat of winning five or more races in one season is rare; the previous driver to do so was Simon Pagenaud in 2016, while Will Power last reached six wins in 2011.
Palou is nearing milestones held by only a few: Sebastien Bourdais won seven races in 2006, and only eight drivers in history have claimed eight or more wins in a single season. The all-time record of ten wins remains shared by A.J. Foyt (1964) and Al Unser (1970).
Among the remaining events, the Detroit street circuit is a key venue for Palou, where he has previously triumphed. He won the inaugural downtown Detroit race in 2023 and also holds multiple victories at Road America, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Portland International Raceway, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Palou’s Points Lead Reflects Season-long Mastery but Rivalries Intensify
Entering the summer stretch, Palou holds a commanding 112-point advantage over his closest competitor, which translates into more than the equivalent of two race wins. Behind him, a tightly contested battle brews for second place, with Arrow McLaren teammates Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard separated by just 13 points and Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing closely trailing.
Each of these contenders is seeking their first win of the 2025 campaign, contrasting with last year’s season that saw seven different race winners. In 2024, drivers like O’Ward, Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin each secured three victories, while Palou also joined Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, and Colton Herta with two wins apiece. This year, however, only Palou has crossed the finish line first.
Palou’s consistency shows in his race pace as well—he has led more laps (163) than the combined total of the drivers ranked second through sixth, underlining his dominance even in races where he is not leading from start to finish.
Detroit Grand Prix: A Fierce Battleground with Multiple Past Champions
The Detroit street circuit, a nine-turn, 1.645-mile layout, has hosted two IndyCar races so far, with Palou winning the inaugural contest and Scott Dixon prevailing in the second. Chip Ganassi Racing has thus held victory in both events. Historic winners in Detroit include Dixon, the most successful with four wins dating back to 2012, and other past champions like Will Power, Graham Rahal, Josef Newgarden, <a href="https://www.big14news.com/tag/marcus-ericsson/”>Marcus Ericsson, and O’Ward.
The race has drawn a competitive field featuring seven drivers who have previously enjoyed success in Detroit, highlighting the circuit’s significance as a key battleground for the series. Podium finishes have also been shared among drivers from prominent teams such as Andretti Global and Chip Ganassi Racing in recent years.
Challenges and Incidents Shape Recent Detroit Showdown
Reflecting on the last Detroit race, Scott Dixon’s victory enabled him to briefly claim the championship lead, edging Palou by 18 points. Palou’s race was hampered after being involved in contact triggered by Josef Newgarden and Kyle Kirkwood, causing one of his poorest finishes to date in a weekend marked by an unprecedented eight caution flags.
Colton Herta, who earned pole position and led the first third of the race, saw his advantage slip due to variable weather conditions that forced tire changes between wet and dry Firestone compounds. His aggressive attempt to regain position resulted in an error at Turn 5. Meanwhile, Dixon displayed notable skill balancing pace and fuel strategy during the final stint, while Marcus Ericsson, regarded as having Detroit as his favorite race, pressured hard toward the end.
Ericsson’s consistent performance in Detroit, including multiple top-nine finishes with different teams and on varying track configurations, adds a layer of complexity to this season’s title chase and exemplifies the unpredictable nature of street circuit racing.
Intense Schedule Peaks as IndyCar Approaches Midseason
May has been a grueling month for the INDYCAR SERIES, with cars competing on track for 16 of 31 days, including three races plus Indianapolis 500 qualifying sessions. With only six race days scheduled for June, Sunday’s Detroit race marks the wrap-up of this busiest stretch.
This weekend’s schedule starts Friday afternoon with the first practice session, available to fans via FS2, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Saturday features additional practice and qualifying broadcasts on FS1, culminating in the awarding of the NTT P1 Award for the fastest qualifier.
Sunday’s activities begin with a pre-race practice in the morning, followed by the 100-lap Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix live on FOX at 12:30 p.m. ET, bringing intense focus back to the championship battle and with Alex Palou dominating 2025 IndyCar season narratives while his rivals prepare a fierce comeback.
