28-Yo Indy 500 Champ Particulars Uncooked Feelings Behind Historic Win

Few abilities in fashionable motorsport have navigated a path as serpentine as Alex Palou. Born in Barcelona in 1997, he honed his craft in European karting and single-seaters earlier than dazzling Japan’s Tremendous System and storming into the American IndyCar paddock. By 2021, at simply 24, he claimed his first championship trophy—a prelude to larger glory. But even that milestone dimmed beside the siren name of the Indianapolis 500.

Since 1911, the Indy 500 has reigned as motorsport’s final crucible: 500 miles of searing speeds, passes measured in thousandths of a second, and a hallowed “yard of bricks” kissed solely by victors. For Palou, now a three-time collection champion, the Brickyard’s attract was irresistible. Arriving in Could 2025, he carried not simply Chip Ganassi Racing’s hopes, however the goals of a nation craving for its first Indy 500 champion.

On Could 25, future ignited. Palou threaded his No. 10 Honda by way of site visitors with surgical precision, harnessing a draft down the backstretch to grab the lead with 15 to go. As he crossed the road, the roar of 200,000 followers crashed over him, a tidal wave so overwhelming that his voice started fraying earlier than he even climbed from the cockpit. What adopted was no scripted celebration; it was pure, unfiltered euphoria. So, how does a champion distill years of sacrifice into 2.5 miles of immortality? Palou’s reply left him breathless and rethink his F1 ambitions.

Palou is soaking in his greatest racing triumph

Palou confessed that by the point he reached Victory Lane, he’d “misplaced my voice already,” the byproduct of a roar so immense it almost stole his breath. He’d spent that closing sluggish lap alone within the automobile, “waving and screaming,” savoring a second years within the making. Nevertheless it wasn’t till he killed the engine that the tide really broke. “As soon as I finished the automobile…and I acquired out of the automobile, I used to be capable of hear the followers for the primary time. And it was large. The vitality there was large. They had been all screaming as nicely. In order that simply gave me much more vitality.”

Palou has been the very best driver within the Sequence for the previous few years, and now that he’s added the Borg-Warner trophy to his assortment, he can lastly really feel received all of it in his IndyCar profession. This was additionally Chip Ganassi Racing‘s sixth Indy 500 triumph, which is just second to Group Penske’s large tally of 20. Effectively, he did share a healthful second along with his household and even tried to get his little lady to kiss the bricks. Although she couldn’t fairly lean all the best way down, Palou smiled as she “was making an attempt…sending kisses to the bricks,” a young reminder that, for him, racing isn’t nearly pace—it’s about household too.

And whereas there have been talks about him trying to make the change to F1, the Indy 500 win appears to have mesmerized him. “I’m an enormous fan, however I don’t assume they’re having as a lot enjoyable as I’m having right here. I don’t see individuals celebrating with their wives and youngsters as a lot as we do. I solely take pleasure in driving and having enjoyable and being with my individuals, so I believe (F1) is the overall reverse.” He stated this to IndyStar. It appears like Palou prefers the milk over champagne, and he actually has discovered his new house in IndyCar.

Though the Chip Ganassi Racing star may need dropped his plans to compete in Europe, it looks as if he wouldn’t thoughts dipping his toes in NASCAR.

Will Alex Palou comply with in Helio Castroneves’ footsteps?

It’s not unusual for IndyCar drivers to modify lanes to the excessive banks and ovals of NASCAR. A. J. Foyt, Tony Stewart, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all made this crossover. Whereas Palou won’t be the very best racer on the ovals, he can hop in a Cup automobile at a highway course or avenue race in Chicago. When Harvick requested the Indy 500 winner about the potential of competing in NASCAR, he didn’t flinch and welcomed the thought wholeheartedly.

“I’d be down for that. It’s a really completely different automobile. It’s a really completely different sort of racing. I do know I might get smashed by all of you guys on ovals, however I might love to provide it a attempt at a highway or a avenue course.” Palou acknowledged. NASCAR does have 5 races on the highway programs which are developing on the schedule. And the very best wager proper now appears to be the Undertaking 91 entry that gave Helio Castroneves a trip on the Daytona 500.

NASCAR has launched the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) by way of which a non-NASCAR famous person driver can safe a spot on the grid. Think about Alex Palou and Shane van Gisbergen going up towards the remainder of the competitors on the streets of Chicago or the tight corners of Watkins Glen. Particularly with the OEP now in place, this crossover has grow to be extra seamless than ever, and whereas he downplays his oval prowess, who is aware of he may do nicely on the Daytona 500? In spite of everything, he simply received the Indianapolis 500.