Don’t Engrave Alex Palou’s Name on the 2025 INDYCAR Championship Trophy Just Yet
Bob Pockrass, FOX Motorsports Insider, reports from St. Petersburg, Florida, where Alex Palou emerged victorious in the season-opening INDYCAR Grand Prix. Driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, Palou led 26 laps and crossed the finish line 2.8 seconds ahead of teammate Scott Dixon and 6.2 seconds ahead of Josef Newgarden. While Palou has already clinched three championship trophies, including the 2023 and 2024 titles, it’s premature to anoint him the 2025 champion based on this single race.
Team Owner Chip Ganassi Praises Palou’s Composure
Team owner Chip Ganassi praised Palou’s performance, noting that he makes racing look effortless. "He makes it look easy, doesn’t he?" Ganassi remarked. "Makes it look easy. Doesn’t sweat." Despite the strong showing, Palou’s competitors are far from conceding. Third-place finisher Josef Newgarden emphasized the importance of the long-term view. "It’s Round 1," Newgarden stated. "Let’s see how it goes." Newgarden was running out of fuel on the final lap due to fueling issues, but he still managed to finish third, a testament to his resilience.
Scott Dixon’s Radio Woes
Scott Dixon, Palou’s teammate, finished second but was notably frustrated. Dixon couldn’t hear his crew’s instructions, causing him to pit a lap later than planned. "Get a radio that works," the six-time series champion said when asked how he could beat Palou. Despite the technical difficulties, Dixon was pleased with his second-place finish, but his demeanor reflected his disappointment. "I’m pretty pissed off," he admitted. "We had a good race going and we didn’t get it done. It doesn’t feel good."
Palou Reflects on the Victory
Palou, despite his dominant performance, remains grounded. He acknowledged that his success at St. Petersburg is not a guarantee of future success. "We’ve always struggled here for some reason, and we got it now to feel like what I need and what we need as drivers to push and to extract 100 percent," Palou said. However, he also noted that the strategies and setups that worked in St. Petersburg may not translate to other tracks, including the upcoming street course at Long Beach. "That being said, I don’t think that translates to other racetracks," he explained.
Chip Ganassi on Team Dynamics
Chip Ganassi highlighted the strength of Palou’s team, praising the strategic and communicative prowess of the 10 car guys. "There’s nobody better than the 10 car guys in terms of strategy, calling the race, communication — there’s all-stars on it," he said. While Palou’s team excels, Ganassi noted that his other teams, including those of Dixon and Kyffin Simpson, have work to do to catch up. "I don’t know that one race winner makes you [the favorite]," Ganassi said. "We’re certainly the season favorite until next week or until the next race."
The Road Ahead
The 2025 INDYCAR season is just beginning, and the competition is fierce. While Alex Palou’s victory at St. Petersburg is a strong start, it’s just the first of many races. Teams and drivers will continue to push the limits, make adjustments, and strive for excellence. As Ganassi pointed out, every team works diligently during the off-season to improve their cars and strategies. "You don’t sit flatfooted all winter. You’re working on your cars trying to make them better," he emphasized. The upcoming races will reveal who has the edge in the long run, and whether Palou’s success at St. Petersburg is a harbinger of things to come or just a strong start to a challenging season.
