Alex Palou, reigning IndyCar champion, has opened up about how anxious he felt during his first oval race in IndyCar, an experience new to the European-born driver. After claiming victory at the 109th Indianapolis 500 on May 25, Palou’s journey from an oval novice to a celebrated winner highlights a remarkable transformation in his racing career.
Before his 2025 Indy 500 triumph, Palou faced two major goals: securing a win on an oval track and clinching victory in the iconic Indy 500 event. Despite never having raced on an oval prior to 2020, the Spanish driver managed to achieve both in spectacular fashion, underscoring his rapid adaptation to this distinctly American style of racing.
Early Oval Racing Nerves and First-Hand Experience
Alex Palou described his debut on an oval as nerve-wracking, sharing insights into how different and faster the cars feel compared to road courses.
“It was nerve-wracking, for sure. The car doesn’t feel normal. Obviously, it’s a lot faster. You know you’re not going to use the brakes as much, and you feel strapped in a lot different, in a different way than you normally are. But, yeah, honestly, it’s … it’s a pretty cool experience, especially at the beginning when you don’t know how is it gonna be,”
he said during an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Palou first entered the IndyCar series with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020, facing immediate challenges on the Texas Motor Speedway oval, where he started 16th. Unfortunately, an incident on lap 36 involving Rinus Veekay ended both drivers‘ races prematurely, marking a difficult initiation into oval racing for the future champion.
Building Momentum from Indianapolis 500 Success for Upcoming Ovals
With five wins in seven races during the 2025 season, including his landmark Indy 500 victory, Palou has demonstrated dominance in IndyCar. His confidence on ovals has grown significantly, and he is eager to continue this success in upcoming races like the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on June 14 at the 1.25-mile WWT Raceway oval, where Palou’s best finish is fourth place in 2024.
Addressing whether all oval races feel similar, Palou explained that each track offers unique challenges and characteristics.
“Every track has its own character (just as) when you go to a road course. You can prefer some tracks than others, because the way the car feels, the amount of steering you need to put the speed that you’ll carry there, but so far, I like all of them. Obviously, I prefer the Speedway because I won, so I feel more confident. But I cannot wait to win at other places,”
he said in an MSJ interview.
This statement reflects Palou’s enthusiasm and growing comfort on ovals, boosted by his Indianapolis Motor Speedway win, which has positively shifted his mindset entering other oval events.
Championship Standing and Challenges Ahead
Currently leading the championship by 90 points over Pato O’Ward after seven races, Palou continues to assert his position atop IndyCar standings. However, his margin could have been larger if not for a crash involving David Malukas on lap 72 of the Detroit Grand Prix, which cost him valuable points soon after his Indianapolis success.
Alex Palou’s journey from European road racing to becoming a dominant oval contender shows both resilience and adaptability. His rapid learning curve on American oval circuits and his recent Indy 500 victory mark him as a formidable force poised to achieve further wins throughout the season.
