Alex Palou’s bid for success at the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway ended abruptly after an early crash on the 1-mile tri-oval track. Marking his 100th career IndyCar start, the four-time series champion collided with Rinus VeeKay’s #76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, forcing Palou out of the race after just 22 laps.
Starting 10th on the grid, Palou quickly propelled his No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda into the top three soon after the green flag. He maintained position behind Team Penske’s pole-sitter David Malukas and teammate Josef Newgarden, appearing to be a strong contender early on.
Details of the Incident Between Palou and VeeKay
A restart on Lap 19 allowed Graham Rahal’s #15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda to overtake Palou, momentarily pushing him down the order. Shortly after, VeeKay attempted to pass Palou on the high line through the dogleg. However, as Palou moved upward, VeeKay did not yield, resulting in contact that sent Palou’s right front into the outside wall. His damaged car came to rest inside the track, forcing Palou to exit the vehicle.
I haven’t been able to see it,
Palou admitted when discussing the crash. “I just, I don’t know if I just squeezed someone or someone was trying to get there. Yeah, I mean, I don’t know. I didn’t think there was anybody there.
(I) need to see if there was really that space or not, but yeah, unfortunate that we ended up in the wall so early and not even trying, but it’s racing.
Meanwhile, VeeKay continued in the race but was noticeably frustrated, believing Palou forced him into the collision. He reported over the radio,
He drove up on me, man,
expressing his displeasure.
VeeKay also mentioned potential damage to his car’s suspension, running several laps down in 23rd place by the time of the report, saying,
Yeah, steering up to the left,
and
I think it’s got suspension damage here.
Implications for Palou and the Race Moving Forward
Palou’s early exit marked a disappointing turn in his milestone 100th IndyCar start, reducing his chances at victory in the Phoenix event. The incident with VeeKay not only affected Palou’s race but also left VeeKay struggling with vehicle issues. This collision may impact their performances in coming races as they assess the damage and address strategies moving forward.
With strong competitors like David Malukas and Josef Newgarden leading much of the race, Palou’s setback shifts the dynamics of the event and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges drivers face during high-stakes competition at Phoenix Raceway.
