XPEL Grand Prix: Alex Palou Triumphs at Road America
Elkhart Lake, WI—In a hotly contested XPEL Grand Prix, Alex Palou secured his sixth victory of the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season, reaffirming his dominance despite a chaotic race at Road America. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver managed to navigate through significant on-track incidents and strategic fuel management, finishing 2.1725 seconds ahead of Felix Rosenqvist.
Race Summary:
Palou started from pole position but quickly found himself battling through the field after being boxed in during the initial chaos. Notably, he was involved in a tussle with Will Power, which briefly dropped him outside the top five. However, through strategic decision-making and opportunistic driving, he reclaimed lost ground.
The pivotal moment of the race occurred with 25 laps remaining when a caution flag for a crashed Josef Newgarden allowed Palou, along with other contenders, to optimize their fuel strategy for a final push.
In the closing laps, Palou’s teammate Scott Dixon assumed the lead, but he was forced to pit with 17 laps remaining, leaving Palou to drive unchallenged to the finish line.
Reflecting on the race, Palou stated, "It was a crazy race for us… Kudos to the team for the amazing strategy. And Honda, man. HRC, being able to give us the fuel mileage we needed to make it."
Podium Finishers:
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) – This marked Rosenqvist’s best finish since 2023.
- Santino Ferrucci (A.J. Foyt Racing) – Celebrated his podium finish with a fan-favored toast after running out of fuel.
Rounding out the top five were Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Armstrong, followed by Kyffin Simpson, David Malukas, Nolan Siegel, Scott Dixon, and Rinus VeeKay, completing the top ten.
Race Context:
The event featured three caution periods in the first ten laps, including an early incident involving David Malukas and Christian Lundgaard. The unpredictable circumstances due to other drivers’ mishaps—including Power’s spin and Newgarden’s accident—created a dynamic race environment.
As the series heads into the next round at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 6, Palou looks to maintain his momentum in the championship chase.
Key Takeaway:
Palou’s win signifies a return to form after two challenging races, and the performance underscores Honda’s advantages in fuel efficiency, vital for success in the IndyCar series.
