The Alex Palou Era Officially Cemented at Portland International Raceway
On Sunday at Portland International Raceway, Alex Palou and his No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda team capped an extraordinary 2025 IndyCar season, securing the championship title with two races still remaining. The Spaniard’s third-place finish at the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland was enough to clinch his fourth IndyCar championship overall, and third consecutive one — a remarkable feat that solidifies Palou’s position as one of the sport’s greats.
At just 28 years old, Palou has dominated this season with eight victories, including his maiden Indianapolis 500 win, and consistent top finishes across diverse tracks. The 2025 campaign saw him display remarkable adaptability and pace, accumulating 10 podiums in a 15-race season and demonstrating mastery on street circuits, ovals, and road courses alike.
Palou’s commanding 121-point lead heading into Portland meant he only needed to outscore closest rival Pato O’Ward by 108 points to seal the championship. Despite O’Ward’s strong start, securing pole position and pushing hard for victory, an unfortunate electrical failure on lap 22 forced him into an unscheduled pit stop and kept him 10 laps down, effectively ending the title fight.
Reflecting on his achievement, Palou expressed heartfelt appreciation: “It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t be happier at this moment. This season has been fantastic, and the past five years with Chip Ganassi Racing have been extraordinary. I am profoundly grateful to everyone at CGR, especially Chip, our partners, and all our supporters.”
Though the title was secured, Palou pushed fiercely in the race’s final laps, overtaking Christian Lundgaard briefly before narrowly missing out on a victory, finishing behind race winner Will Power. His commitment to winning every race underscores the competitive fire driving his sustained success.
This fourth championship puts Palou third on IndyCar’s all-time list, behind legends A.J. Foyt and Scott Dixon, marking the arrival of a new era defined by his blend of youth, speed, and racecraft.
As the season moves toward its final rounds in Milwaukee and Nashville, Palou’s focus shifts not only towards extending his win tally but also to potentially rewriting records, including matching the most wins in a single IndyCar season.
The 2025 season will be remembered as the moment the Alex Palou era was truly forged.
