Alex Palou, the star driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, secured the 2025 IndyCar championship at the Portland Grand Prix, marking his fourth overall IndyCar title. Despite dominating the season, Palou candidly acknowledged that oval racing continues to be his greatest area for improvement.
Starting the 2025 campaign as the defending champion, Palou quickly established himself as the frontrunner. He began with a victory at St. Pete and went on to claim seven more wins before arriving in Portland. This season also saw Palou capture his first-ever Indianapolis 500 win, a milestone in his career.
Dominance Amid Rivalry and Key Challenges
Palou secured the 2025 championship with two races still remaining after his closest competitor, Pato O’Ward, encountered an electrical failure while leading in Portland. Even with this commanding advantage, Palou remains focused on improving his performance on oval tracks, a segment of IndyCar that has long posed difficulties for him.
Although he entered the season as a three-time series champion, Palou had never won on an oval before this year. That changed with his breakthrough victory at the prestigious Indianapolis 500, a race regarded as the pinnacle of oval racing. He further validated his emerging strength on ovals by winning at Iowa Speedway’s short oval event.
In an appearance on FOX’s First Things First, the discussion turned to Palou’s growth on ovals, which had previously been considered a weak spot. When asked about areas for further development, Palou shared his honest assessment of where he still struggles:
“This year was my first ever win at an oval, at the Indy 500, actually, and then another win at Iowa at the short oval. So, we kind of ticked it, but I wouldn’t say it’s a full tick. I think it’s still my weakness. Like it’s where I struggle to feel 100% with the car, to know exactly what I need from the car to go a little bit faster. So that’s what I need to work on the most, I need to work on short ovals and see if we can be a little bit stronger there.” —Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver
The Precision Behind Palou’s Pursuit of Excellence
Nicknamed “the Surgeon” for his meticulous driving approach, Alex Palou is recognized throughout the IndyCar paddock for his precision and performance consistency. After securing his fourth title, he revealed what fuels his relentless quest for improvement and perfection.
“I just love to work on myself and try and analyze what I’ve done, and after this weekend, I’ll go back and see, how can I avoid doing that mistake in qualifying or pass those cars better, and then we’ll be a bit stronger. That’s what drives me. Trying to be better every day, trying to chase that perfection that you know is not possible, but you’re trying to chase that anyways.” —Alex Palou
Unlike many of his top competitors, Palou has maintained near-flawless form throughout the season, with only a few minor setbacks such as a crash at the Detroit Grand Prix and a wide moment at Mid-Ohio, which ultimately allowed Scott Dixon to claim a victory.
Looking Ahead: Palou’s Focus on Oval Performance
Although Alex Palou has demonstrated dominance across all types of circuits this year, his own admission that oval racing remains a challenge indicates where his priorities lie moving forward. His recent victories on ovals show progress, but Palou aims to refine his feel for the car and enhance his speed in these demanding conditions.
Given Palou’s steady improvement and his analytical approach to racing, his continued work on oval tracks could reshape his future seasons. His performance this year has solidified his status among IndyCar’s elite, and his determination to improve ensures he remains a formidable contender in years to come.
