Indianapolis, IN – May 25, 2025 – In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Alex Palou claimed victory at the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, etching his name into the annals of motorsport history. The three-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, driving the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, finally conquered the iconic oval track, securing his first Indy 500 win and adding a coveted jewel to his already illustrious career.
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A Breakthrough Victory on the Oval
Palou, a 27-year-old Spaniard, entered the race as a favorite with odds of +475, trailing only Pato O’Ward (+450), according to BetMGM. Despite his dominance in the IndyCar Series—boasting 13 career wins prior to the event—he had yet to taste victory on an oval. That changed on Sunday as he navigated the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway with precision, passing Marcus Ericsson with 14 laps remaining and holding off the 2022 Indy 500 winner to take the checkered flag.
The victory was a milestone for Palou, who had been a consistent contender in the series but had struggled to translate that success to oval racing. “This is the one I’ve been chasing,” Palou said after the race, standing in victory lane with the traditional bottle of milk—a nod to the Indy 500’s storied tradition that began in 1936 with Louis Meyer. “To win here, at the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ with such a competitive field, it’s a dream come true.”
Palou’s No. 10 Honda, adorned with a striking 2025 livery featuring vibrant DHL yellows, symbolized the partnership’s commitment to speed and excellence. Mike Parra, head of global sponsorships at DHL, praised the effort: “Seeing our colors on the winning car at Indy is a proud moment for DHL. Alex and Chip Ganassi Racing delivered a performance that reflects our global mission of connecting people with passion.”
A Race of High Drama and Fierce Competition
The 109th Indy 500 lived up to its billing as one of motorsport’s most prestigious events, with 33 drivers taking the green flag after a brief delay due to light rain. The race, traditionally 200 laps and 500 miles, featured a mix of veterans and rookies vying for the Borg-Warner Trophy, with several storylines adding to the drama.
Marcus Ericsson, driving the No. 28 Andretti Global Honda, proved a formidable challenger. The Swedish driver, who won the Indy 500 in 2022 and finished second in 2023, led late in the race after a flawless final pit stop on Lap 180. However, Palou’s strategic pacing and fuel management allowed him to overtake Ericsson and maintain the lead, finishing under pressure as Ericsson pushed hard but couldn’t close the gap.
Other contenders faced significant challenges. Two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden, who started 32nd after a qualifying penalty stemming from Team Penske’s illegal modifications scandal, fought his way to seventh before a fuel pump issue on Lap 140 ended his bid for a historic three-peat. “It’s tough not to have a shot at the end,” Newgarden lamented. “I just wish we had a chance to fight for it.”
Kyle Larson’s ambitious attempt to complete “The Double”—racing both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—ended in disappointment. Larson, starting 19th, crashed on Lap 92 after losing control on a restart, also collecting Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. Though uninjured, Larson’s hopes of joining Tony Stewart (2001) as the only driver to complete both races in a single day were dashed. He quickly shifted focus to Charlotte, aiming to salvage his day in NASCAR.
Veteran drivers also encountered misfortune. Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, was forced out on Lap 75 when his No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet caught fire during a pit stop. Takuma Sato, a two-time Indy 500 champion and a pre-race pick by some experts, led early but lost positions after a pit lane skid. Pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman, a rookie with Prema Racing, saw his day end early after crashing into his crew during a pit stop, damaging his No. 83 Chevrolet.
The Legacy of the Indianapolis 500
The Indy 500, held annually on Memorial Day weekend, is steeped in tradition. From the pre-race patriotic ceremonies to the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana,” the event captivates fans worldwide. One of the most iconic traditions is the victory lane milk celebration, a practice rooted in Louis Meyer’s 1936 win when he drank buttermilk to refresh himself. Since the 1950s, the Indiana Dairy Association has sponsored the tradition, with drivers pre-selecting their milk type—whole, skim, or 2%. Palou, like many champions before him, raised his bottle in triumph, a moment that will be etched in Indy 500 lore.
The race also saw notable figures in ceremonial roles. Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan drove the pace car, a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, while Casey Irsay Foyt served as the honorary starter, waving the green flag in honor of her late father, Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts owner who passed away earlier in the week at 65.
Palou’s Path to Greatness
Palou’s victory adds to his growing legacy in IndyCar. As a three-time series champion, he has consistently demonstrated versatility and composure, traits that served him well at Indy. His win was a testament to the strength of Chip Ganassi Racing, which fielded a car that dominated much of the month of May—a period known for its extensive practice and qualifying sessions at the Brickyard.
Nathan Brown of IndyStar, who predicted Palou’s win, noted, “Palou has proven over the last three months that picking against him is largely silly. He’s yet to win on an oval in his career, but the championship leader checks that box with the help of a pit crew that’s been nearly flawless all year.”
With this victory, Palou joins an elite group of Indy 500 champions, though he remains three wins shy of the record four held by A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Rick Mears, and Helio Castroneves. At 27, Palou has plenty of time to chase that mark, and his performance on Sunday suggests he could become a regular contender at the Speedway.
Looking Ahead
As the confetti settled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Palou’s win marked a fitting capstone to a thrilling Memorial Day weekend of racing. For fans, the 109th Indy 500 delivered on its promise of high-speed drama, heartbreak, and triumph. For Palou, it was a defining moment—a breakthrough that solidifies his place among IndyCar’s elite and sets the stage for what could be a golden era in his career.
The IndyCar Series now looks ahead to the rest of the 2025 season, but for one day, the motorsport world belonged to Alex Palou, the newest champion of the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’