Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix: Palou’s Dominance Ends Abruptly
Detroit, MI—In a dramatic turn of events at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, Alex Palou’s attempt to extend his impressive season was abruptly halted when he crashed out on Lap 68. Restarting seventh with 28 laps remaining, the two-time defending champion was struck from behind by David Malukas as they approached the first corner, forcing Palou’s No. 10 Honda into the tire barrier. Unable to refire his car, Palou was classified 25th, marking a stark deviation from his season-long dominance.
Prior to the incident, Palou, who had displayed a notable recovery in pace over the weekend, was positioned to challenge for a podium finish. He entered the race with a remarkable record, boasting five wins and a second-place finish across the first six races of the season, including an Indianapolis 500 victory—a feat last matched by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000 for consecutive wins as a winner of the Indy 500.
Palou expressed his disappointment post-race, stating, “Very unfortunate. We did an amazing recovery this weekend… I felt we were running good to try to sneak into the podium.” His frustration was compounded by Malukas receiving a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact.
This marked Palou’s first DNF since a race at Iowa Speedway in July 2024 and only the third since the 2022 season commenced. The result positions him with the second-worst finish for a post-Indy 500 winner in a decade, trailing only Josef Newgarden’s 26th-place result at the same event last year.
With his previous dominance, Palou had maintained an average finishing position of 1.17, leading the championship standings. However, his crash in Detroit serves as a pivotal moment in what has otherwise been a defining season.
