The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 crowned a new champion and added a historic chapter to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Alex Palou, the 27-year-old sensation from Spain, delivered a commanding performance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, becoming the first Spaniard to win the prestigious race and further cementing his status as one of IndyCar’s all-time greats.
Palou, already a two-time defending IndyCar Series champion with three titles in four years, took the checkered flag under caution after a late crash halted any final challenges. The victory completed a dream start to the 2025 season, in which he has now won four of the first five races—a feat not seen since A.J. Foyt’s legendary start in 1964.
After crossing the iconic Yard of Bricks, Palou stopped just beyond the finish line, climbed out of his car, and raised his arms in triumph, the winning wreath draped around his neck. Overcome with emotion, he briefly lost his balance during his celebration, prompting team owner Chip Ganassi to instinctively reach to steady him—though Palou, as always, seemed in control.
Victory Lane brought one of the most heartwarming celebrations in recent memory. Palou took the ceremonial swig of milk, then passed the bottle to his wife, who shared it with their baby. Ganassi himself took a celebratory sip, reveling in what was his sixth Indy 500 triumph as a team owner.
The newly crowned winner then took a victory lap around the Speedway in the back of a pickup truck with his family. At one point, he stood atop the truck roof, arms raised high in triumph, drawing roars from a crowd that included hundreds of Spanish fans waving flags and chanting his name—something Palou admitted he’d never seen at an IndyCar race before.
Palou started near the front and quickly took control of the race, never letting the competition close the gap. He drove with the poise and precision that has become his trademark, building a lead that remained secure until the final caution sealed his win.
The dominant performance drew praise from Ganassi teammates and former Indy 500 winners Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, who embraced Palou after the race and welcomed him into their elite club of champions.
“This is the race that completes my career,” Palou said. “You can win championships, but the Indy 500—this is what makes you a legend in this sport.”
Heartbreak and Headlines Elsewhere
Behind Palou, Marcus Ericsson was left devastated after falling short of a second Indy 500 win, exiting his car in pit lane with his head in his hands. David Malukas delivered a standout performance for A.J. Foyt Racing, finishing third, while Pato O’Ward placed fourth—his fifth top-six finish in six Indy 500 starts.
The day was a disaster for Team Penske. Josef Newgarden, aiming to become the first back-row starter to win the 500, retired with a fuel pump issue. His teammate Will Power was the team’s highest finisher in 19th place. The struggles came after Penske’s cars were dropped to the back of the field for failing inspection—a scandal that added more controversy to an already tense week. Team owner Roger Penske, who also owns IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the race itself, had earlier fired three top executives amid ongoing scrutiny over technical infractions.
Meanwhile, NASCAR star Kyle Larson’s highly anticipated “Double” attempt came to an early end after a crash ended his Indianapolis 500 before he could fly to North Carolina for the Coca-Cola 600.
Palou’s whirlwind day was far from over. With the Pacers hosting the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, IndyCar officials hurried to get him downtown in time to take in the action. The day before, Palou had shown his support by wearing a Tyrese Haliburton jersey during the Indy 500 parade.
While Spain has long idolized Formula 1 icons like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, Palou’s win could shift the motorsports spotlight. “Maybe now they’ll see that IndyCar is something special, too,” Palou said. With a fourth series title in his sights and now a Borg-Warner Trophy to his name, Palou is redefining what it means to be an international racing star.
As the sun set over Indianapolis, one thing was clear: the 109th Indy 500 belonged to Alex Palou—and with his pace, precision, and poise, this may be only the beginning of a legendary legacy.
