Alex Palou Wins First Oval at Indianapolis 500
Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by WWTR
Photo by Penske Entertainment: Chris Owens
MADISON, Ill. (May 29, 2025) – Five out of six races of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season have been dominated by no other than the Spaniard Alex Palou with Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou took his first ever oval win at one of the biggest stages on May 25 at the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
“It’s amazing. It’s amazing to win this race,” said Palou. “This race means so much for me, for my family, for the INDYCAR community, our fans, and I would say motorsports in general. To be an Indy 500 championship, it’s amazing.”
After 16 wins over 87 starts, the 109th Indy 500 became the first oval the three-time NTT INDYCAR CERIES champion has been able to secure a win at. Securing his first win on such a high scale has made the race win “extra special.”
“I think I would have been as happy as I am right now, but to say that I’ve only won one oval race and it’s been at the speedway, that’s always going to be like that,” said Palou.
The win did not come without difficulties, however. With 45 caution laps out of 200, rain delays and plenty of action, Palou started from sixth place to battle his way to the top spot at the Brickyard.
With being on top, there are plenty of responsibilities following winning the “greatest spectacle in racing.” Palou booked it from Indianapolis to New York where he has stayed busy on a media tour going to everything from Mets games to the top of the Empire State Building.
Just a week after the Indianapolis 500, Palou and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES go back to road courses for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix where the streets of Downtown Detroit turn into a 1.645-mile course. Palou has had success so far on the road courses, but just a few weeks after Detroit, the driving changes back to ovals at World Wide Technology Raceway for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
As one of the most active racing tracks on the calendar, the 1.25-mile oval located just outside Downtown St. Louis is bound to bring first-class entertainment. The 2024 race brought new track records with 21 lead changes, 11 race leaders and 676 passes.
The challenging and fan-favorite oval has a new aspect as well that is guaranteed to bring the action. The Father’s Day race has been moved to under the lights on Sunday, June 15 for a 7 p.m. CT start time and will be broadcast on primetime television on FOX.
At a track that has typically been dominated by Penske’s (9 wins as a team), Palou finished just outside the top three in the 2024 race, but this year he brings a new milestone under his belt.
Come see Palou and five-time Bommarito Automotive Group 500 champion Josef Newgarden battle it out under the lights at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 14-15. Alongside the INDYCAR action, ‘90s rock bands Soul Asylum, Sponge and Cracker will perform as part of the Celebration of Route 66 Fest presented by Discover Downstate Illinois.
For more information or purchase tickets please visit wwtraceway.com or call the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 Ext. 1.
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Buschhorn | Public Relations & Media Manager | 314.517.5125 | pbuschhorn@wwtraceway.com
