Charting the Future of Alex Palou’s 2025 IndyCar Campaign

The 2025 IndyCar season has been nothing short of extraordinary for Alex Palou, who has already secured a victory at the legendary Indianapolis 500 and is on the verge of clinching his fourth consecutive series championship. If Palou maintains his current momentum, his season could become one of the most historic in the sport’s modern era.

Following his latest triumph at Iowa Speedway, Palou has etched his name alongside racing legends such as AJ Foyt, Alex Zanardi, Juan Pablo Montoya, Paul Tracy, Cristiano da Matta, and Sébastien Bourdais-each of whom achieved seven wins in a single season. This elite group highlights the significance of Palou’s current performance, as he continues to push toward the all-time record of ten wins, originally set by Foyt in 1964 and matched by Al Unser in 1970.

Reflecting on Palou’s Record-Breaking Potential

When asked about his chances of joining the exclusive ten-win club, Palou acknowledged that his recent misstep at Mid-Ohio slightly diminished his prospects. “It would have been closer without my mistake in Mid-Ohio,” he admitted, referencing an incident that cost him a potential victory earlier this month. Despite this, he remains focused on the present, emphasizing that each race is a new opportunity rather than fixating on records.

Palou stressed that success in racing is never guaranteed and that he approaches each event with a one-race-at-a-time mentality. “From the outside, it might look like wins come easily, but that’s not the case,” he explained. “While winning seven out of twelve races is impressive, I don’t set my sights solely on the end goal. If I look back and see seven wins, I’ll be proud. But I’m aiming for ten, even if it seems a distant target-three more victories are still a significant challenge.”

Given his stellar start-winning five of the first six races, claiming his first oval victory at the Indianapolis 500, and securing another oval win at Iowa-adding three more wins in the remaining five races doesn’t seem out of reach for Palou. His current form suggests he’s well-positioned to make a serious push toward that milestone.

Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities for Palou

Alex Palou, representing Chip Ganassi Racing

Photo credit: Penske Entertainment

Looking ahead, the final five races of the season will test Palou’s consistency and adaptability across different circuits. Notably, the upcoming events at Laguna Seca and Portland are areas where Palou has historically excelled. At Laguna Seca, he has finished on the podium in all four appearances, including two wins-most recently in 2024 from pole position-and has led over 40% of the laps run there. Similarly, at Portland, he has secured two victories, with a second-place finish last year, demonstrating his prowess on this challenging short oval.

These performances position Palou as a strong contender for victories at these venues, potentially bringing him closer to the coveted ten-win mark. Conversely, he has yet to claim wins at Toronto, Milwaukee, and Nashville-the remaining circuits on the schedule. However, his track record of first-time wins this season at Indianapolis, Iowa, and St. Petersburg suggests he’s capable of surprising outcomes at these tracks as well.

In Toronto, Palou has raced three times on the 1.786-mile street circuit, with results that have been somewhat unconventional-never starting higher than 15th but finishing in the top six each time. His best result there was a second-place finish in 2023. If he maintains his current qualifying form-averaging a start position of 3.75, his best since joining IndyCar-he could finally secure his first international victory in the series.

As for Milwaukee and Nashville, both returning to the calendar last year, Palou’s best finishes were fifth-place results. Yet, entering the final stretch of 2025 with renewed confidence following recent oval wins, he’s poised to challenge for top honors at these venues as well.

Championship Outlook and the Impact of a Potential Title Win

Currently, Palou holds a commanding 129-point lead over closest rival Pato O’Ward. This substantial margin suggests he could secure the championship before the final race, which might influence his approach in the remaining events. If the title is clinched early, it could either free him to race more aggressively or, conversely, lead to a slight easing of pressure-though Palou’s competitive nature indicates he’s unlikely to relax prematurely.

Securing the championship early could also allow Palou to focus entirely on race wins without the burden of championship points, potentially elevating his performance even further. Regardless, his track record and current form make him a formidable contender to finish the season on a high note, possibly surpassing his previous achievements and cementing his legacy in IndyCar history.