Tag: Alex Palou

Quick Thoughts- Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix

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Another race. another Alex Palou smackdown. Similar to his easy victory at St. Pete, Palou beat Christian Lundgaard to the line by 13 seconds. Despite the wide margin at the finish, the story was nearly different.

“Incredible day,” Palou said. “I told you qualifying was one of the best car balances I’ve ever driven. Today in the race, it was pretty good in the beginning, really good at the end, but we suffered a little bit on the used blacks (Firestone Firehawk primary tires) that we had to use.

“Another win here. Love this place, love the fans. What a great day.”

Christian Lundgaard took the lead when Palou made his final stop. He pushed to create a large enough gap to stay ahead when he had to pit and was nearly there. A slow right wheel tire exchange cost him nine extra seconds in the pits. It was enough to allow Palou to coast to the victory. Lundgaard recovered to take second, passing Graham Rahal with three laps to go.

Lundgaard said after the race that he believed he had the pace to get by Palou.

It was a great day for Rahal, who earned his first podium since August 2023 at the Indianapolis Road course. RLL has been making progress with the 15 car this season, and the podium signals more good things to come for this team.

Overall, today’s race was the first real clunker of the season. There was very little passing. The race ran caution free for the second straight year.

Kirkwood Keeps Points Lead

Kyle Kirkwood maintained his points lead, but just barely. He is ahead of Palou by only2 points with his fifth place at Barber. Kirkwood is the most consistent driver of 20206 with four finishes inion the top five, including a win and a second place.

Kirkw3ood has won Long Beach, the next race, twice, including last year from pole. We could have a real points battle this season.

Watch Out For

Christian Lundgaard is beginning to make some noise. He now sits in third in the standings, 35 points behind Kirkwood. Lundgaard has finishes of 2nd, 3rd, 13th, and 7th. He may end up as McLaren’s number one driver this year.

David Malukas continues to be the bright light for Team Penske. His fourth place today put5s him in fourth place, just five points behind Lundgaard. Josef Newgarden started ninth and finished 10th. Scott McLaughlin started 14th after his practice crash Saturday, but struggled to a 16th place result.

Streaks broken– The run of a different winner every race came to an end with Palou’s second win of 2026. Sting Ray Robb finished 22nd after coming home 21st in each of the first three races. So close.

The FOX Conundrum

The booth talent and pit reporters are outstanding. The features production is professional and interesting. Their tribute to George Barber was outstanding.

However, their coverage of the sport, the showcase of the broadcasts is still woefully behind the positive aspects, especially on race day.

A pass for second place was missed early in the race. At one it seemed if there was a commercial break just two laps after a break.

I don’t like the top of screen features during action, especially while pit stops take place. If you want to talk about a musician, do it in the pre-race.

In Friday’s IndyNXT practice, sector times were shown on screen for the first time, never to be seen again. Sector times will very much enhance qualifying.

End of rant.

After four races in five weeks, IndyCar returns to action in three weeks, April 19, at long Beach.

Palou Takes Pole on Crazy Day at Barber

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Scott McLaughlin’s morning accident set the tone for a wild day at Barber Motorsports Park. Prior to IndyCar qualifying, The IndyNXT race saw the two leaders crash while battling for first place, and Nikita Johnson winning his second race of the year.

In the first round of qualifying Will Power lost his brakes entering turn 5 and went nose first into the barrier. Power was not injured, but he will again start at the rear of field. Power has had a difficult beginning in phase two of his career. Since he joined Andretti, Power has had some form of contact every weekend.

In a fierce, competitive qualifying session, Alex Palou won the pole position. he edged David Malukas by 11 hundredths of a second. Points leader Kyle Kirkwood will start fifth.

“Honestly, one of the best cars I’ve driven,” Palou said. “This morning (in practice) I already felt the car was really, really good, really well balanced. We just wanted to start up front, capitalize on a really good car we had today and see for tomorrow. Really happy to get our first pole this year.”

Graham Rahal will start third, Marcus Armstrong rolls off fourth, and Romain Grosjean will start from sixth.

Grosjean had a great lap going in Round 1 until he was impeded by Sting Ray Robb. Grosjean still advanced, while Robb lost his two best laps to that point.

McLaughlin’s crew got his backup car ready. he finished seventh in his group and will start 14th tomorrow.

Notes

IndyCar’s competitiveness was on full display with six teams reaching the Fast Six, and a seventh team starting seventh.

Palou is the fourth different driver to take pole in four races in 2026.

It was a great day for the AMR Safety team and all who helped implement the safety innovations on these race cars. Two drivers escaped serious injuries this afternoon thanks to car’s design.

Of the seven different teams will grid in the first three and a half rows, McLaren is conspicuously missing.

Results

Scotty’s Wild Odyssey; Barber Qualifying Groups and P2 Results

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After a scary crash in turn 1 by Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar qualifying is still scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm Eastern time on FS1. Mclaughlin spun in turn and went rear first through the turn 2 barrier. Yes, though. Not contact. Not hit. Through.

I have seen many spins in that area over the years, but never has a car gone through the the barrier there. The closest call I had seen was a Mazda MX=5 car which smacked the barrier hard enough to destroy the car, but it never penetrated the fence and tires.

Qualifying Groups

Practice 2 results

St. Pete: New Year, Same Result

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Here we go again. The calendar flipped, and Alex Palou still leads the IndyCar series points. Palou opicked up weher he left off in2025, when he led the championship from start to finish.

Palou repeated his victory in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg virtually the same wat he did last year. Palou stayed out the longest before his first pit stop, which allowed him to build up a lead e only lost briefly after his second stop.

Scott McLaughlin dominated the first third of the race from pole, but Palou quickly moved to second from his fourth starting spot, and from that point forward it was just a matter of time before Palou would assume his usual position.

Palou has won nine of the previous 18 races dating back to St. Pete last year. We are witnessing a generational talent along the lines of Scott Dixon, A. J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti. While it may be boring to see him in Victory Circle every week, we need to enjoy and appreciate his talent.

Quick Thoughts

While Palou was on his typical Sunday stroll, a terrific battle for second happened behind him between Kyle Kirkwood, Scott McLaughlin, and Christian Lundgaard. Kirkwood’s tires eventually faded, and the Andretti driver had to settle for fourth. McLaughlin and Lundgaard continued their fight to the end of the race.

Rookies Dennis Hauger played it smart today and ended with a top 10 finish. The rookie driving for Dale Coyne started third after an impressive qualifying effort. he dropped back at the start, choosing wisely to not battle with the three former race winners as the race began.

Hauger’s fellow rookies did not fare as well. Mick Schumacher’s debut ended in less than a lap as he was involved in a crash. Caio Collet struggled all day and finished 17th on the lead lap.

Difficult Debuts– Will Power ‘s first race for Andretti Global did not end well. Power had wall contact as the same suspension issue which plagued the team all weekend reappeared. He returned 30 laps down and ended22nd.

His replacement at Penske, David Malukas, had a promising day ruined when he flat spotted a tire after running in the top five. Malukas finished 13th.

Biggest Movers–

Josef Newgarden moved up to seventh after starting 23rd. The result is a hopeful sign that Newgarden may have a better season than he did in 2025.

Rinus VeeKay moved up 10 spots to finish ninth.

Team results

Four teams had two cars in the top 10 Team Penske, Andretti Global, McLaren, and Dale Coyne.

This weekend was a great one for Dale Coyne Racing, and I hope we see more results like this from them.

While St. Pete isn’t always the nost thrilling event on the schedule, Palou’s 12.4948 margin of victory is a record for the season opener.

Before you hand Palou the title, keep in mind the packed opening schedule, I think he will experience a challenge at Phoenix.

Thanks for following along this weekend. I will have a wra pup tomorrow morning.

Results

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Good Morning from St. Pete

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Greetings from cool, cloudy, foggy St. Petersburg as activity is already underway for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. USF 200 just completed qualifying, and Mazda MX-5 Cup cars will qualify in about 15 minutes.

As you can see from the photo, the fog has not completely left,m but the sky is getting brighter, but still cloudy. IndyCar is still scheduled for a 1:35 practice session.

The morning began with some major news. Chip Ganassi and McLaren have reached an unspecified settlement in thel awsuit in which McLaren was awarded $12 million dollars. Ganassi said he and Zak Brown had “a good conversation.”

Chip Ganassi Racing and A;ex Palou each issued statements about the settlement>

I am glad that this matter is closed. It has been a lingering cloud over the series, and I’m sure it was on Palou’s mind as well.

10 Titles

It was a treat this morning when four time series champion Dario Franchitti and six time series champ Scott Dixon mad an appearance. Dixon is looking for his first win at St. pete and his 60th career victory this season. Franchitti, retired from IndyCar since 2013, will be driving in the NASCAR Truck series race tomorrow.

Dario said he wasn’t nervous yet, but might be once he gets in the truck. Dixon was relieved that Franchitti isn’t coming back to IndyCar.

Both drivers expressed a desire to try out the Mazda MX-5 cup series some day.

Sorting

These photos are to help me mostly, but I hope it helps you keep these two cars straight starting Sunday.

Will Power is in this car:

David Malukas is in this car:

I hope this helps.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announced a sponsor for rookie Mick Schumacher this morning.

Looking Around

As I walked around the track this morning, I noticed what seemed to be a significant increase in concessions, especially behind the first turn grandstands. It wasn’t too long ago that you mostly saw the grandstand structures and some port a potties. The area has become quite dense.

New and more numerous video boards are in place. There is one closer to turn 1, so the fans there don’t have to fight the glare of the sun to see the board just past the start/finish line across from the pits.

I will be back after IndyCar practice with a wrap up of the day.

Palou Unveils 110th Indianapolis 500 Ticket 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026) – Four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou unveiled the ticket for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Indianapolis.
Palou earned his first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” last May in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, and one of the many honors bestowed upon the winner is unveiling the ticket for the next year’s race. Featuring the winning driver on the next year’s “500” ticket dates to Mauri Rose’s appearance in 1948
.Spain native Palou received a special DHL delivery at K1 Speed in Fishers. He opened the DHL packaging to reveal an enlarged version of the colorful ticket, featuring a photo of his jubilant celebration standing on his winning car following the victory.
“I always had to sign the ticket as a driver, and I always wanted be on the ticket,” Palou said.
“It’s amazing. I love it. It was probably the coolest day of my life, and I cannot wait to see it on a small scale all around IMS. It’s going to look good.”
Designed in house by Senior Art Director Mandy Walsh, the ticket celebrates the excitement of Palou’s first “500” victory with his full-color image superimposed over an overhead shot of his car crossing the famed Yard of Bricks. The ticket also features a patriotic flair to celebrate the nation’s military, which is honored throughout the storied event held annually during Memorial Day weekend, and the 250th birthday of the United States this year.
Palou will defend his victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 24 in the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with live coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Tickets for the Indy 500 and all Month of May activities are on sale at IMS.com, by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700 or by visiting the ticket office.

Indy 500 Winner Palou Unveils Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

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Editor’s Note: I apologize for being mostly absent the past two months. I had a brief hospital stay and I have made two trips to Florida to get winter headquarters ready to go on the market. I am currently in Florida, and will head home Saturday, hopefully for a longer stay.

From IMS:

  INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025) – 2025 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Alex Palou unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Nov. 19 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he earned his first Indy 500 victory May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Palou, driving the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, earned the first oval victory of his career and became the first Spaniard to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” He passed Marcus Ericsson on Lap 187 and never trailed thereafter, earning Chip Ganassi Racing’s sixth Indy 500 victory.
The unveiling took place at The Above Event Center at Commission Row. Located in downtown Indianapolis, it is part of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment Complex known as Bicentennial Unity Plaza. Following the unveil, Palou attended the Indiana Pacers’ game with the Borg-Warner Trophy. It was a full-circle moment as he also attended an Indiana Pacers’ playoff game following his Indy 500 win.
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Palou is the 112th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.
“This is one of those days that I knew I wanted to be part of at some point in my career,” Palou said.
“I knew it was going take a lot of work, and finally to be here and to get to see the trophy for the first time, it’s amazing.
“I know that it’s always going to be there forever, if I race one more year or if I race 50 more years. And whatever the history of INDYCAR is going to be, it’s always going to be there. So, it’s great to be part of all those amazing drivers. And, yeah, I feel that now. I want to get that face again on that trophy. Try and be part again of the history of our sport.”
Renowned sculptor Will Behrends created Palou’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990.Behrends begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting. Palou then visited Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for an in-person session where Behrends constructed a full-scale clay model of the driver’s face.This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before adhering it to the trophy.
“I’m honored to continue one of the greatest traditions in all of sports and unveil the latest addition to the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy at this beautiful venue,” said Michelle Collins, global director, Marketing and Public Relations, BorgWarner.
“Alex’s victory exemplifies that tenacity and constant commitment to excellence will result in success, on and off the track. On behalf of everyone at BorgWarner, congratulations to Alex and the team at Chip Ganassi Racing.”
Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911 and of former IMS owner Tony Hulman.
Early next year, Palou will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as a “Baby Borg,” a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.
Tickets for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com. 

Palou To Unveil Image on Borg-Warner Trophy Nov. 19 in Indianapolis

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From IMS:

 Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, winner of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, will unveil his likeness on the coveted Borg-Warner Trophy on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in downtown Indianapolis.
The event takes place from 4-6 p.m. ET at The Above Event Center at Commission Row, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. in Indianapolis. The trophy unveiling is scheduled for approximately 5:15 p.m.
Palou, Global Director of Marketing and Public Relations for BorgWarner Michelle Collins and INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles will be available for interviews following the unveil.
After the event concludes, Palou and the Borg-Warner Trophy will make their way to the Indiana Pacers’ game at Gainbridge Life Fieldhouse, which starts at 7 p.m. The Borg-Warner Trophy will be on display in the fan pavilion for photo opportunities with fans before the game.
Fans can view the unveil live on the IMS YouTube channel
.WHAT: 2025 Borg-Warner Trophy Unveil
WHO: Alex Palou, Driver, Chip Ganassi Racing, J. Douglas Boles, President, INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Michelle Collins, Global Director of Marketing and Public Relations, BorgWarner
WHEN: 4-6 p.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 19
WHERE: The Above Event Center, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis 

The Year of Palou-IndyCar Season Review

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Caution free races, cheating scandals, firings gave way to some outstanding racing in the second half of the year. While turmoil reigned off track and the racing improved, there was one constant throughout the season- Alex Palou. Palou won the title by nearly 200 points after winning five of the first six races, and six of the first 10.

After a first lap caution at the St. Pete opener end3ed after lap 6, we did not see another yellow flag for 408 laps. the next caution came on lap 70 of the Sonsio Grand Prix on the IMS road course in race number five. As if to make up for lost time, the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 featured seven cautions for 45 laps. No race went caution free the rest of the year, and the racing coincidentally got much better.

The Indianapolis 500 saw another rules infraction scandal involving Team Penske when it was discovered that the cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power had unapproved modifications to the attenuator. Their cars were moved to the rear of the starting grid, and three top Penske officials were dismissed from the team.

After the race the second-place car of Marcus Ericsson and the sixth place car of Andretti teammate Kyle Kirkwood were disqualified and place 31st and 32nd in the finishing order. The car of Callum Ilott was moved to 33rd from12th place, all three cars failing post race inspection.

At Detroit another team received a technical penalty. After that, there were no more infractions announced the rest of the year.

IndyCar is looking to have an independent technical inspection team beginning in 2026, and i hope we have seen the last of violations on the scale we saw this year.

After Palou won the first two races of the year, and Kyle Kirkwood won the third event at Long Beach, no one batted an eye.It appeared to be a typical season on the horizon. But Palou won at Barber and swept May at Indianapolis. Still the season was young, and surely Palou would cool off.

Hopes were high for a championship battle after Kirkwood won at Detroit and Gateway, but Palou came back to win Road America, and he had Mid Ohio in his grasp until a late race error in turn 9 handed the victory to Palou’s teammate Scott Dixon.

Palou won the second race at Iowa and then took the checkered flag at Laguna Serca for his final win of the season. A third place at Portland clinched his third consecutive title with two races left.

Palou’s season- eight wins, tying him for the fourth highest single season total in history, six poles, 14 top fives, 15 top 10s, and 13 podiums (8 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third).

Notable

Some things that stood out in 2025:

Rookie Robert Shwartzman winning the pole at the Indianapolis 500 for new team PREMA.

Christian Rasmussen winning his first career race for ECR at Milwaukee.

Louis Foster winning Rookie of the Year honors over Robert Shwartzman by two points in a race that wasn’t decided until the final lap, of the season.

Pato O’Ward’s strong second half of the season in which he won twice and took command of second place in the standings.

Best races, in order- Nashville, Milwaukee, Gateway, Iowa 2.

Worst races, in order- Thermal, Laguna Seca, Barber.

I want to thank all who followed along this season. I appreciate all of you. I will be on site for the IMSA race at IMS, and I will be doing some historic features the rest of the year.

St. Pete isn’t that fart off, is it?