On May 25, 2025, Alex Palou claimed a milestone victory at the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, marking his first win on an oval track. After an impressive career trajectory that saw him rise from a little-known Super Formula racer in Japan to becoming a dominant figure in <a href="https://www.big14news.com/indycar/”>IndyCar, this victory put an end to doubts about his capability on oval circuits. His relentless pursuit culminated in crossing the yard of bricks in the No. 10 DHL Honda, silencing critics and further affirming his status as a legendary driver in the series.
Palou’s triumph in the Indy 500, the sport’s most prestigious event, coincided with a championship-winning season, a feat last achieved in 2010. This combination underscored his dominance and solidified the growing consensus that he is the Alex Palou IndyCar GOAT, a title once reserved for only a select few.
Early Career Challenges and Breakthroughs on Road Courses
Alex Palou’s rapid ascent in IndyCar began in 2020 with Dale Coyne Racing and Team Goh, where he immediately showcased his potential by securing a podium finish alongside veterans like Scott Dixon and Will Power. His move to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 was a turning point, debuting with a win at Barber Motorsports Park. Despite this promising start, skeptics doubted his ability to sustain success across IndyCar’s diverse schedule, which includes both road courses and oval tracks.
Throughout the early years of his tenure with Ganassi, Palou mastered road and street circuits, quickly building a reputation as one of the sport’s brightest stars. By 2023, he had notched multiple championships and 14 wins, yet his lack of an oval victory was an often-discussed limitation, with critics suggesting he was incomplete as a driver.
Oval Track Doubts and the Changing Narrative
Despite clinching three consecutive IndyCar championships by 2024, Palou had yet to conquer an oval track. This aspect of his record became a focal debate among fans and media alike, overshadowing his accomplishments on other surfaces. To put this into perspective, Palou became the first three-time IndyCar champion without an oval win, a distinction that invited ongoing skepticism about his status within the sport.
Throughout those years, prominent figures and commentators perpetuated the notion that to be considered a true champion in IndyCar, winning on ovals was essential. Even teammates and rivals acknowledged this benchmark as critical, underscoring the pressure Palou faced to prove himself.
However, that all changed in May 2025 when Palou’s triumph at Indianapolis provided irrefutable evidence of his versatility and excellence. In his own words, he said,
Not for them, it’s more for me, just for being like, ‘Hey Alex, yeah you’re capable of doing it,’ right? I never have the motivation of telling somebody that ‘I won it and you told me that I would never win it.’
—Alex Palou
This victory was personal and symbolic, simultaneously quieting doubters and reinforcing his own confidence going forward.
Breaking Barriers: From Indy 500 to Iowa Speedway Oval Victory
The momentum didn’t stop at the Indy 500. Shortly after, in July 2025, Palou dominated the Iowa Speedway doubleheader, securing a commanding win in the second race by leading 194 of 275 laps. This marked his first oval victory outside Indianapolis and highlighted his growing comfort on these challenging tracks.
What made this win even more remarkable was the long victory drought Chip Ganassi Racing faced at Iowa, with no wins at the venue since 2010, and the fact that Scott Dixon, Ganassi’s most successful driver, had never won there either. Palou’s performance not only ended that dry spell but also demonstrated his ability to surpass even the most decorated of teammates on difficult circuits.
Over the past two years, Palou has amassed a series-high 12 victories, six of which came at tracks where Dixon remains winless. This achievement accentuates Palou’s unique capacity to excel in venues that have challenged past champions.
The 2022 Season: Challenges and Contract Controversies
The 2022 campaign represented a rare dip in Palou’s otherwise stellar Ganassi tenure. Contract disputes dominated headlines as he attempted to leave Ganassi for McLaren, aiming to transition potentially into Formula 1. Ganassi Racing responded by filing a lawsuit, which ultimately kept Palou under contract for 2023, delaying his anticipated move.
This off-track turmoil had tangible effects on Palou’s performance. He secured only one win late in the season at Laguna Seca, finishing in the lower ranks for much of 2022 and tying for fourth in the championship. The win at Laguna Seca was notable for its margin of 30.3812 seconds, the largest gap of any modern IndyCar race since the series’ formation, symbolizing that while Palou struggled, his talent was never fully diminished.
Reflecting on that period, Palou acknowledged the impact of these challenges:
I think it’s just a lot of small steps that I would not have tried, so the only thing, obviously I would try and avoid having any bumps with the team with contracts, but I think that’s part of me, that’s part of who I am today as well, probably, mentally.
—Alex Palou
Racing Against a Legend: Palou vs. Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon is widely regarded as one of the greatest IndyCar drivers of all time, boasting 59 wins and six championships in a career that began over two decades ago. Turning 45 in 2025, Dixon still consistently contends at the front of the pack, consistently securing top finishes and remaining a formidable competitor despite a lengthy championship drought since 2018.
Many view Dixon as the Tom Brady of IndyCar due to his longevity and sustained excellence. However, over the past several years, Palou has established himself as a major challenger to Dixon’s dominance, winning four championships to Dixon’s single title from 2019 to the present—remarkably, Palou has also won the Indianapolis 500 while Dixon has not during this period.
This rivalry, compounded by former teammates like Dario Franchitti, elevates Palou’s achievements, as beating a competitor of Dixon‘s caliber is often seen as the ultimate proof of greatness in IndyCar racing.
The Debate Over IndyCar’s Greatest Driver Intensifies
As Palou continues to amass victories and titles, debates about the greatest IndyCar driver of all time naturally intensify. Comparing athletes across eras is inherently complex, especially in a sport where both technology and competition have evolved substantially over the decades.
Some detractors remain skeptical, demanding additional oval wins or championship sweepstakes achievements, while others compare Palou to other legends like A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Al Unser. However, Palou’s consistent excellence, versatility, and breakthrough on the biggest stages have rendered it increasingly difficult to dismiss his case for GOAT status.
Critics also often point to the spec-series nature of IndyCar, where many teams have relatively equal machinery. While this parity is true, it emphasizes driver skill and adaptability, thereby highlighting Palou’s achievements amid stiff competition.
Even a former Ganassi teammate acknowledged Palou’s unique success by noting,
If he went to another team, he wouldn’t succeed as much.
—Unnamed Former Ganassi Driver
This remark, while not disrespectful, underscores how difficult IndyCar victories are to come by regardless of team context, cementing Palou’s remarkable prowess as a driver.
Balancing Measured Strategy with Competitive Aggression
Palou’s methodical approach on the track has sometimes been misunderstood as overly cautious, especially when commentators described him as “thinking championship” rather than racing to win during key moments. His style blends consistency with calculated aggression, a balance that has led to dominant seasons punctuated by multiple race victories.
For example, in 2023, Palou secured five wins—the first multi-win champion since 2016—and by mid-2025 had already matched that pace with eight wins, setting new performance standards rarely seen since the 1970s. Despite this, some critics unfairly labeled a hard-fought battle for second place at Portland after clinching the title as “unnecessarily aggressive,” overlooking the competitiveness inherent in elite racing.
Palou’s reaction mirrors that of many racers: a drive to compete at the highest level regardless of current standings, highlighting his relentless spirit and unwillingness to settle for less than victory.
Current Season Highlights and Statistical Milestones
Palou’s 2025 campaign continues to set records. With eight wins already secured and potential for more, his tally is unmatched among active drivers aside from legends like Dixon, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden. Achieving nine wins this season would elevate him further on the all-time wins list, underscoring his exceptional form.
His dominance extends beyond pure win totals. Since June 2024, Palou has led championship points continuously—becoming the first to lead from start to finish during an Indy 500-winning season since Johnny Rutherford in 1980. He matches the wire-to-wire lead streak last set by Dixon in 2020, demonstrating consistent excellence throughout long seasons.
Moreover, Palou’s championship count now equals the sum of all active drivers except Dixon, an impressive testament to his growing legacy.
Oval Championship Within Reach in the Season’s Final Races
While Palou has earned multiple road course and street circuit victories, the 2025 season offers the tantalizing prospect of a first oval championship title. With two oval races remaining—at the Milwaukee Mile and Nashville Superspeedway—Palou trails oval points leader Pato O’Ward by only a single point, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the campaign.
Palou expressed confidence and excitement ahead of these races:
It feels amazing, and I feel more comfortable. Obviously in Iowa I felt a little more comfortable and we were able to get a win and get a pole there. I’m excited for Milwaukee, although last year wasn’t amazing for us. We had that issue in race two.
—Alex Palou
Both drivers have demonstrated strong performances on ovals this year, making the fight for oval supremacy a key storyline in the closing stages of the season. Palou also looks forward to additional testing opportunities at Nashville, aiming to build on improvements made at other oval venues.
Securing the oval championship would not only complement his Indy 500 and overall titles but also silence any remaining doubts about his versatility and dominance across all track types in IndyCar.
Looking Ahead to the Season Finale
The final two races of the 2025 IndyCar season are set for August 24 at the Milwaukee Mile and August 31 at Nashville Superspeedway. Broadcast live on Fox with a 2:00 p.m. ET start, these events carry immense significance as Palou and his rivals battle for the last honors of an unforgettable season.
As the current IndyCar season nears its climax, Alex Palou stands poised not only as the reigning champion but also as the driver changing the narrative of greatness in the sport’s modern era. Whether he secures the oval championship or continues to extend his record-setting win totals, his achievements in 2025 will be remembered as a defining chapter in IndyCar history.
