On the time of his first crowning as an IndyCar collection champion in 2021, Alex Palou was a vivid new star who rocketed from anonymity to American open-wheel racing’s mountain high. Two years later, after a season of utter domination wherein he gained extra races than any driver in 2023, Palou sealed and delivered his second championship for Chip Ganassi Racing, which has elevated the smiley child from Spain who loves espresso and fried hen — and never as a combo, fortunately — to the lofty distinction of being the perfect of IndyCar’s subsequent era.
Since he joined Ganassi’s staff, Palou has captured 9 wins and 24 podium finishes in three seasons of labor. These 9 victories additionally match the variety of wins captured by the Arrow McLaren staff, which he was meant to affix, throughout its 22 years of existence. In reality, Palou has amassed extra wins in his temporary IndyCar profession than half of the ten full-time groups that compete within the collection. Let that one marinate for a second.
Among the many 27 pilots on the grid, Palou was IndyCar’s quickest driver in 2023, incomes the highest common beginning grid place of 6.00 throughout 17 races. He lives for the battle that follows qualifying, although, the place his beautiful race-day performances