Alex Palou has taken control of the 2025 IndyCar season with remarkable dominance, securing his fourth championship title with two races remaining. His performance has set him apart significantly from other competitors, highlighting his exceptional skill and the strength of his team and car. This clear lead has been a major storyline as the season heads toward its conclusion.
Currently holding 626 points, Palou is far ahead of his closest rival, Pato O’Ward, who trails with 475 points. Meanwhile, Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren and Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing are locked in a close battle for third place, separated by only 13 points. The gap between Palou and the rest of the field underscores the extraordinary nature of his 2025 season performance.
Graham Rahal Describes the Season’s Competitive Landscape
Racing veteran Graham Rahal, who pilots the #15 car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing powered by Honda, shared his perspective on the season’s unpredictability during an appearance on the SpeedStreet podcast. Rahal, appearing alongside hosts Conor Daly and Chase Holden, highlighted how difficult it has been for most drivers to keep pace with Palou’s exceptional form.
“We all see it, right? We all race Palou week in and week out. The guy’s phenomenal, his race craft’s phenomenal, the team is phenomenal, and that damn car is phenomenal. I mean, it’s everywhere we go; it’s like ‘ah man, him again,’ you know, just like anytime you race him head-to-head, it is very, very hard. You know so we just I think the championship is wildly unpredictable outside of one dude,” he said (37:21 onwards).
—Graham Rahal, IndyCar Driver
Rahal’s remarks shed light on the widely shared sense among drivers that Palou’s consistency and speed have left the championship outlook almost certain, despite the overall unpredictability of the races this season.
Rahal Reflects on His Own Season and Response to Critics
Despite the overwhelming presence of Palou, Graham Rahal has managed to produce solid results throughout 2025. He qualified 18th and finished 11th at the Thermal Club Grand Prix, and notably improved his position at the Portland race by starting 22nd and finishing fourth. Rahal’s recent consistent top-10 finishes demonstrate a marked improvement from past years.
Addressing his critics at a pre-Mid-Ohio race press conference with his father and team co-owner Bobby Rahal, Graham tackled longstanding doubts about his driving capabilities, especially accusations that his presence on the team was due to family ties rather than merit.
“Yeah, I think I am, well, look at the qualifying results. They speak for themselves,” Graham Rahal said (via ASAP Sports). “I’m sick and tired of hearing, ‘He can’t drive. He’s only there because of his dad’… all this bullshit. It gets old because the reality is (that) the performance and qualifying, in particular, speak for themselves.”
—Graham Rahal, IndyCar Driver
His best qualifying performance this year came at the Sonsio Grand Prix where he secured the second spot and later finished sixth, further reinforcing his abilities and growth as a competitor.
What This Means for the Remaining Races
As the final two races approach, the focus remains heavily on whether anyone can challenge Alex Palou’s IndyCar 2025 dominance, which has so far been nearly unassailable. With rivals grappling to keep up and Graham Rahal pushing to silence his critics through improved results, the closing stage of the season promises intense racing and high stakes.
The dynamic between Palou’s commanding lead and the closely contested battles behind him will captivate fans and commentators alike, as every point counts in the pursuit of final standings and future momentum within IndyCar racing.
