Spanish racing phenom Alex Palou etched his name into history on Sunday, becoming the first driver from Spain to win the legendary Indianapolis 500.
Holding off fierce competition from former teammate Marcus Ericsson, Palou conquered the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in what’s dubbed “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Palou, a three-time IndyCar champion in just four seasons, came into this year’s race red-hot, having already claimed four wins in the first five events. But this was the one he—and everyone else—had circled. No win means more in American motorsports than the Indy 500, and Palou knew it.
Without this jewel, he said, his career would never be complete. Now, with the win in hand, he’s joined the elite club of champions who have conquered both the IndyCar series and the 500.
After crossing the finish line, Palou stopped just past the iconic Yard of Bricks, leapt out of the car, and took off in an emotional sprint down the front stretch, tossing his gloves and throwing his arms into the air. He was soon engulfed by his father and his Chip Ganassi Racing team in a celebration years in the making.
Veteran greats Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, both past Ganassi Indy 500 winners, embraced Palou, welcoming him into an exclusive circle few drivers ever enter.
“I cannot believe it. What an amazing day, what an amazing race,” Palou said. “Tough conditions out there. The team didn’t want me to lead for fuel reasons, but I wanted it. I went for it, and we made it happen.”
Ericsson, the 2022 winner, fell just short in a valiant bid for a second win, finishing second for Andretti Global in a strong 1-2 finish for Honda. David Malukas rounded out the podium in third for AJ Foyt Racing, giving Chevrolet its highest finish of the day.
Meanwhile, Team Penske’s struggles continued. Last year’s winner, Josef Newgarden, failed to finish after a fuel pump issue derailed his bid for a historic third straight victory. Penske teammate Will Power ended up 19th on a rough day for the powerhouse team, which had already been mired in controversy following a cheating scandal that resulted in Roger Penske firing three top IndyCar execs just days earlier.
The Penske organization, which owns IndyCar, the Indy 500, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has faced mounting criticism over apparent conflicts of interest and repeated inspection violations.
Palou’s win was also the sixth Indy 500 victory for Chip Ganassi Racing, which has surged since signing the Spanish driver in 2021. Since then, Palou has collected three titles and now, finally, the 500 win that cements his legacy.
“The guy is just unbelievable—I don’t know what else to say,” team owner Chip Ganassi said. “This will define his career, change his life, and it’s changed mine too.”
One notable disappointment came from NASCAR’s Kyle Larson, who had attempted the ambitious “double”—racing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina on the same day. Larson’s dream came to a halt after a crash in Indianapolis.
In the end, though, the day belonged to Palou—a driver who came to America, embraced the challenge, and rose to the top of the most demanding race on U.S. soil.
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