Palou Clinches Pole Position at Laguna Seca, Targets Another Victory
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, CA – Alex Palou has secured back-to-back pole positions at Laguna Seca, reinforcing his status as a dominant force on the IndyCar circuit. The driver of the No. 10 Honda not only claimed pole but is also the defending champion of this race, having won in 2024 by a solid 1.978 seconds over Andretti Global’s Colton Herta.
Palou’s journey to this moment has been impressive, with a range of performances at Laguna Seca, including a third-place finish in 2023 and a second-place result during his debut in 2021. His standout moment came in 2022, where he delivered a commanding victory with a margin of 30.381 seconds ahead of Josef Newgarden.
Reflecting on his performance, Palou stated, “Honestly, I was super comfortable and super happy with my lap, especially the start of the lap. There was not much margin [left], at least from my side.” His ability to excel in the Fast Six session, following an earlier faster lap in the Fast 12, showcased his skill and precision on the 11-turn road course.
Historically, Laguna Seca has seen formidable talents such as Alex Zanardi and Bobby Rahal achieve remarkable success. Zanardi’s podium record mirrors Palou’s current trajectory, while Rahal’s legacy includes a stretch of four consecutive wins from 1984 to 1987, leading to the naming of the "Rahal Straight" in his honor.
Palou’s race strategy will be crucial in his aim for a third win in five races. Unlike the previous weekend, where an alternative tire strategy backfired, the team is expected to maintain a traditional plan. "We thought last week – obviously looking back it’s super easy to say that we made a mistake,” Palou reflected. He emphasized a focus on victory rather than solely accumulating points, reiterating, “We’re going to try and go for the win.”
As the series heads into the race, the anticipation is high for Palou to build on his Laguna Seca legacy.
