Indianapolis 500: Alex Palou makes history as 1st Spanish driver to earn Indy 500 win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Share this @internewscast.com

INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Palou has become the first driver from Spain to win the Indianapolis 500 by holding off former Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson over the closing laps Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Palou, who has won three IndyCar titles in four years – including the last two, came to the speedway with four wins through the first five races this season. But it was No. 6, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” that he had circled on his calendar.

Without an Indy 500 win, Palou said his career resume would never be complete.

Palou stopped the car just beyond the Yard of Bricks, climbing out of it and nearly losing his balance as he raised his arms in triumph. He jumped down and took off in a run down the front stretch, pulling off his gloves and tossing them behind him, and ultimately was engulfed by his father, Ramon, and his Chip Ganassi Racing team in a jubilant celebration.

Scott Dixon gave him a big hug, so did Dario Franchitti, with both Ganassi Indy 500 winners welcoming Palou into the exclusive club.

“I cannot believe it. What an amazing day. What an amazing race,” Palou said. “I cannot believe it. 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.”

Alex Palou, of Spain, makes a pit stop during of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Alex Palou, of Spain, makes a pit stop during of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 25, 2025.

(AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Meanwhile, Ericsson climbed from his car and pressed his hands to his face at the disappointment of coming oh-so close to a second Indianapolis 500 victory.

Ericsson, the 2022 Indy 500 winner, finished second for Andretti Global in a 1-2 finish for Honda. David Malukas was third for A.J. Foyt Racing and the highest-finishing Chevrolet.

Josef Newgarden’s bid to win three consecutive Indy 500s ended with a fuel pump issue. He was trying to become the first driver to come from the back row to win because he and Team Penske teammate Will Power were dropped to the back of the field for failing inspection before qualifying.

Power wound up 19th, the highest-finishing Penske driver on a miserable day for the organization owned by Roger Penske. He earlier this week fired his top three IndyCar executives for a second technical infraction in just over a year, and has had to defend the optics of his teams failing inspections when he also owns IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy500.

Penske has won the Indy 500 a record 20 times.

It was Indy 500 win number six for Ganassi, who has been on a dominating wave since hiring Palou ahead of the 2021 season. Palou then won the championship that year, has added two more titles and now seems on pace for a fourth one.

“The guy is just unbelievable – I don’t know what else to say,” Ganassi said. “It is an incredible thing – it’s going to make Alex Palou’s career, it is going to make his life, and it has certainly made mine.”

Palou started the race tied with Pato O’Ward as the co-favorites, listed at +500 by BetMGM. O’Ward finished fourth – the fifth time in six career starts the Mexican has finished sixth or higher.

Kyle Larson won’t complete “the double” after crashing out of the Indianapolis 500 before he headed to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'Worrisome': Even Leftists Are Getting Freaked Out by Cory Booker's Melodramatic Antics

‘Concerning’: Even Progressives Are Uneasy with Cory Booker’s Theatrical Behavior

The reference he made was an attempt to portray himself as a…
The reason behind Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble's public fights

Why Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble Argue in Public

Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble are well past the honeymoon stage. The…
Midwest biofuels plant explosion, building collapse leaves 3 dead, including 2 children

Explosion at Midwest Biofuels Plant and Building Collapse Results in 3 Fatalities, Including 2 Children

At least three people are dead, including two children, after a dramatic…
NYC museum visitor, 34, jumps to his death at the Whitney

34-Year-Old Man Tragically Leaps to His Death at NYC’s Whitney Museum

A 34-year-old man jumped to his death from the Whitney Museum in…
Facial recognition software leads to arrest of suspect accused of injuring ICE officer

Facial recognition technology helps capture suspect accused of harming ICE officer

FBI investigators identified Robert Jacob Hoopes as a suspect in the injury…
Photo of Cristen and David Brink.

Haunting Recording Surfaces of Couple’s Tragic Murder in Front of Their Two Little Girls, Soon After ‘Starting Afresh’

HEARTBREAKING audio of police finding the bodies of two parents who were…
Aiden Aslin, a British fighter for Ukraine, with a head wound.

British Prisoner of War Freed from Russian Torture Becomes Ukrainian Citizen: “British by Blood, Ukrainian in Spirit”

A BRITISH PoW who was brutally tortured by his Russian captors has…
Car crashes into Portillo's restaurant in Oswego at 2810 Route 34; 2-year-old boy killed, 13 people injured, police say

Tragic Accident: Car Hits Portillo’s Restaurant on Route 34 in Oswego, Results in Child’s Death and 13 Injuries

OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) — A tragic incident occurred where a young boy…
Emergency vehicles surrounding an airplane on an airport tarmac at night.

Delta Flight to Amsterdam Encounters Severe Turbulence; Emergency Landing Leaves 25 Injured

AT least 25 people were injured when a Delta Air Lines flight…
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas spark romance buzz as they’re spotted holding hands after months of speculation

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas Ignite Romance Rumors After Being Seen Holding Hands Following Months of Speculation

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas Ignite Romance Rumors After Being Seen…
Chicago Halloween crime: Mario Munoz pleads guilty, sentenced in an arson investigation involving decorations in 2023

Chicago Halloween crime: Mario Munoz admits guilt, receives sentence for 2023 arson case involving holiday decor

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago man head pleaded guilty to arson involving…
Employees across America shaken by deadly office attack: What to know to stay safe

Office Attack Leaves Employees Across America on Edge: Safety Tips and Information

When a gunman opened fire at 345 Park Avenue, a wave of…