Alex Palou etched his name into racing history on Sunday, May 25, 2025, by winning the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver became the first Spanish driver to ever win the prestigious race, adding another remarkable achievement to his already impressive career. Palou's victory was hard-fought, marked by strategic driving and a decisive late-race pass.
The Barcelona native's journey to the top step of the podium at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was anything but easy. The race was filled with drama from the start, with an early caution on the first racing lap. Palou, however, remained calm and collected, navigating the chaotic opening stages and steadily improving his position. He ran within the top 10 through the caution-heavy first half of the race. By Lap 50, he was running fourth.
As the race progressed, Palou and his team executed a brilliant fuel strategy. After Sato blew his chances of winning by running long in his pit box, Palou found himself battling with Conor Daly and the Ed Carpenter Racing fleet, engaging in a strategic game of leapfrog. He made his final stop for fuel and tires on Lap 168, while his rivals employed different strategies.
The defining moment of the race came with just 14 laps remaining. Palou, who had been conserving fuel behind Marcus Ericsson, made a daring move, diving to the inside of the former Formula 1 driver and 2022 Indy 500 winner into Turn 1. The pass was executed flawlessly, and Palou seized the lead, never relinquishing it. Despite Ericsson's efforts to close the gap, Palou held steady, expertly maneuvering through traffic.
The race ultimately ended under caution after a late crash involving Nolan Siegel, sealing Palou's victory. Palou stopped his No. 10 Dallara-Honda just past the famed Yard of Bricks, climbed out, and celebrated with his team, his father Ramon, and the ecstatic Chip Ganassi Racing crew.
Palou's win was not only a personal triumph but also a historic moment for Spanish motorsport. He is the first Spaniard to conquer the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," a feat that will undoubtedly inspire countless aspiring drivers in his home country. It also marked Chip Ganassi's sixth Indy 500 victory as a team owner.
"I cannot believe it," Palou exclaimed after the race. "What an amazing day. What an amazing race...It was tough. Tough conditions out there, especially if you were, like, third or fourth in the pack. Even leading, the fuel consumption was super high, so they didn't want me to lead. I wanted to lead, honestly, so yeah, made it happen."
The victory was especially sweet for Palou, who had previously stated that his career would feel incomplete without an Indy 500 win. He entered the race as a three-time IndyCar Series champion, including the reigning champion for the past two seasons, and had already won four of the first five races of the 2025 season. This Indy 500 victory solidifies his place among the legends of the sport. It was also his first-ever win on an oval track.
While Palou celebrated his historic achievement, Marcus Ericsson, who had led for a significant portion of the race, finished second. David Malukas rounded out the podium, finishing third.
