Alex Palou has made history by becoming the first Spanish driver to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500, one of the most iconic events in motorsport. The victory came after an intense battle in the closing laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Palou held off a strong challenge from his former Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Marcus Ericsson.
Palou’s achievement is even more remarkable given his already impressive record. Having secured three IndyCar titles in just four years, including the last two consecutive championships, Palou entered the 2025 season with a formidable reputation. He arrived at the Speedway with four wins from the first five races, but the Indy 500 was the race he had most eagerly anticipated. Known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” winning the Indy 500 was a milestone Palou considered essential to complete his career resume.
After crossing the finish line, Palou stopped his car just beyond the Yard of Bricks, a symbolic spot at the start-finish line. He exited his vehicle and sprinted down the front stretch, dramatically removing and tossing his gloves behind him in celebration. The moment was charged with emotion as he was soon surrounded by his father Ramon and the Chip Ganassi Racing team, sharing in the euphoric celebration. Fellow Ganassi Indy 500 winners Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti were among those who embraced Palou, welcoming him into an elite circle of champions.
Reflecting on the race, Palou described the day as incredible and tough, highlighting the challenging conditions. Fuel management played a crucial role, especially for those running near the front of the pack. Palou admitted that fuel consumption was so high that his team tried to keep him from leading to conserve resources, but he was determined to stay out front and ultimately made it happen.
Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson, who won the Indy 500 in 2022, finished a close second for Andretti Global, marking a strong 1-2 finish for Honda-powered teams. David Malukas secured third place for AJ Foyt Racing and was the highest-finishing Chevrolet driver in the race. Ericsson’s disappointment was evident as he pressed his hands to his face, frustrated at coming so close to a second Indy 500 victory.
Josef Newgarden, attempting a historic third consecutive Indy 500 win, was thwarted by a fuel pump failure. Newgarden was also aiming to become the first driver to win after starting from the back row, having been penalized along with teammate Will Power for failing inspection prior to qualifying. Power managed to finish 19th, which was the best result for Team Penske on a difficult day for the organization. This season has been turbulent for Team Penske, owned by Roger Penske, who recently dismissed his top three IndyCar executives following a second technical infraction within a little over a year. These setbacks have posed significant challenges for a team that holds the record with 20 Indy 500 wins.
Ganassi’s sixth Indy 500 victory underlines the team’s dominance since hiring Palou before the 2021 season. Palou’s championship victory that same year was just the beginning, as he went on to add two more titles and now seems poised to continue his impressive winning streak with a potential fourth title on the horizon. Chip Ganassi expressed immense pride in Palou’s achievements, calling him “unbelievable” and emphasizing that this Indy 500 win will be a defining moment in Palou’s career, his life, and Ganassi’s own legacy.
Elsewhere, Kyle Larson’s hopes of completing the “double” by winning both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race were dashed after he crashed out of the Indy 500. He had planned to head to North Carolina to compete in the NASCAR event but was unable to continue after the incident.
This victory cements Alex Palou’s status as one of the elite drivers in IndyCar history and highlights the rising influence of Spanish talent in American open-wheel racing. The 2025 Indianapolis 500 will be remembered as the day Palou not only made history for himself but also for his country.
