When the checkered flag waved at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg, marking the start of the 2025 IndyCar season, it was Alex Palou who emerged as the dominant force. With a bravura performance that left his competitors scrambling, the reigning champion once again demonstrated why he’s the one to beat.
Palou, driving the No.10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, began the race from the eighth position on the grid. However, his masterful combination of patience, speed, and strategic brilliance saw him carve his way through the field to seize victory. The Spaniard’s triumph, by a 2.8669-second margin over his teammate Scott Dixon, marked the first 1-2 finish for Chip Ganassi Racing since the 2023 Mid-Ohio race.
In his post-race interview, Palou couldn’t hide his elation, “They gave me everything we needed this weekend to win,” he beamed. “Our strategy changed a lot during that first yellow, but I’m so glad we got the No. 10 in Victory Lane. It’s been 138 days since Nashville, and I’ve been dreaming about this every single night.”
Despite a radio malfunction that left him without communication for the final 90 laps, Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion, managed to secure the second spot. Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden clinched the third spot on the podium, with Scott McLaughlin and Kyle Kirkwood rounding out the top five.
A decisive factor in Palou’s victory was his audacious early-race strategy. Following a caution on Lap 3, Palou, Dixon, and Newgarden capitalized on the opportunity to pit early, swapping their softer alternate Firestone tires for more durable primaries. This bold move allowed them to control the race’s rhythm, while those who chose to stay out, including pole-sitter McLaughlin, were compelled to pit later under green flag conditions, leading to the loss of valuable track position.
The turning point in the race came on Lap 72 when Palou made his final pit stop. Dixon, hampered by his radio issues, delayed his pit stop by a lap and got held up in traffic. This strategic hiccup provided Palou with the opening he needed to seize control of the race. “I think [Dixon] got trapped in traffic a little bit. That’s why the 10 stand decided to pit a little bit early. We had a really clean out lap, could run fast, and just opened a gap from there.” Palou explained.
Despite Newgarden’s best efforts to close the gap, cutting it to less than a second with five laps to go, Palou expertly used lapped traffic to extend his lead, ultimately cruising to victory.
While Palou celebrated his victory, last year’s St. Petersburg winner, Pato O’Ward, delivered a commendable performance of his own. Despite starting from the 23rd position, O’Ward climbed 12 spots to finish 11th, the highest positional gain of the race.
As the 2025 IndyCar season shifts gears to the Thermal Club Grand Prix in California on March 23, Palou’s rivals will have to find a way to match his pace if they hope to challenge the champion. One thing is certain, though: the 2025 IndyCar season has begun with a bang, and Alex Palou is once again the driver to beat.
