INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Palou has made history as the first Spanish driver to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500, triumphing over former teammate Marcus Ericsson in a nail-biting finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Palou, a three-time IndyCar champion and current season frontrunner with four wins before the race, regarded the Indianapolis 500 as the final piece missing from his career legacy.
Upon crossing the finish line, Palou celebrated exuberantly with his father and Chip Ganassi Racing team, joined by past Ganassi Indy 500 champions Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti in welcoming him into an elite circle. "I cannot believe it. What an amazing day. What an amazing race," exclaimed Palou, acknowledging the challenges of leading amidst tough racing conditions and high fuel consumption.
Ericsson, who claimed victory in the 2022 Indy 500, finished second while Honda secured a notable 1-2 finish. David Malukas received third place, marking the highest finish for Chevrolet. Meanwhile, Josef Newgarden’s attempt for a third consecutive win ended abruptly due to a fuel pump issue. He and teammate Will Power were penalized to the back row for failing inspection before qualifying, with Power finishing 19th.
Palou’s win marks the sixth Indianapolis 500 victory for Chip Ganassi Racing, a team that has seen success since Palou joined in 2021, where he won the championship in his inaugural year. Ganassi praised Palou, stating, “He is just unbelievable. It’s going to make Alex Palou’s career, it is going to make his life.” Earlier, Palou began the race as a co-favorite alongside Pato O’Ward, who finished in fourth place. Kyle Larson, attempting to compete in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, crashed out before heading to North Carolina.
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