Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, a three-time IndyCar Series champion, is one of four racers nominated for the Best Driver award at the 2025 ESPYs, an annual event hosted by ESPN. Alongside him, NASCAR’s Joey Logano, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, and F1 newcomer Oscar Piastri complete the list of nominees, highlighting a diverse range of motorsport talent.
The focus on Alex Palou ESPY Best Driver nominations underscores his growing prominence in American open-wheel racing and brings increased recognition to IndyCar drivers on a global sports stage.
Historical Presence of IndyCar Competitors at the ESPY Awards
Since the inception of the Best Driver category in 1993, IndyCar racers have periodically earned nominations and wins, with a fan voting element added in 2004 to increase public engagement. Across the award’s history, several IndyCar champions have experienced significant moments of recognition that reflect their success and fan popularity within motorsport.
Alex Palou’s Consistent Excellence in IndyCar Racing
Alex Palou, aged 28, has received back-to-back nominations for the ESPY Best Driver award in 2024 and 2025, highlighting his outstanding recent performances. As the 2021, 2023, and 2024 IndyCar Series champion, Palou has demonstrated exceptional consistency, winning six of the first nine races in the 2025 season. He also made history by becoming the first Spaniard to claim victory at the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
Legendary IndyCar Champions Who Have Received ESPY Recognition
Al Unser Jr., successful in winning two IndyCar Series titles and two Indianapolis 500 races, was the first IndyCar driver to secure the ESPY Best Driver award in 1995. His achievements in CART and Champ Car racing helped establish IndyCar’s competitive prestige in motorsports.
Ryan Hunter-Reay earned the ESPY Best Driver award twice consecutively, in 2013 and 2014, following his 2012 IndyCar championship and 2014 Indy 500 win. His peak years were marked by multiple race victories and strong season finishes, making him the most recent IndyCar competitor to win this accolade.
Sam Hornish Jr., a dominant figure in the early 2000s with three IndyCar titles and an Indianapolis 500 victory in 2006, received ESPY nominations in 2003 and 2006. His career highlights came while racing for Team Penske amid a competitive field that included several NASCAR and motorsport stars.
Scott Dixon, regarded as one of IndyCar’s greatest drivers with six series championships and a 2008 Indy 500 win, holds the record for most ESPY Best Driver nominations from the series, with six nods. Despite this, he has yet to win the award, reflecting the stiff competition he faces from across racing disciplines.
Why the ESPY Best Driver Award Matters for IndyCar
The ESPY Best Driver award serves as a high-profile platform to showcase talent from series like IndyCar alongside drivers from NASCAR, Formula 1, and other motorsports. Alex Palou’s presence among the current nominees continues this important tradition and highlights IndyCar’s rising international relevance. Continued nominations and wins by IndyCar champions help elevate the series’ status and inspire fans worldwide.
