Alex Palou makes history as 1st Spanish driver to win the Indianapolis 500

[ad_1] INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Palou has change into the primary driver from Spain to win the Indianapolis 500 by holding off former Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson over the closing laps Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Palou, who has received three IndyCar titles in 4 years — together with the final two, got here to the speedway with 4 wins via the primary 5 races this season. But it surely was No. 6, “The Biggest Spectacle in Racing,” that he had circled on his calendar.

With out an Indy 500 win, Palou stated his profession resume would by no means be full.

Palou stopped the automobile simply past the Yard of Bricks, climbing out of it and almost dropping his steadiness as he raised his arms in triumph. He jumped down and took off in a run down the entrance stretch, pulling off his gloves and tossing them behind him, and finally was engulfed by his father, Ramon, and his Chip Ganassi Racing workforce in a jubilant celebration.

Scott Dixon gave him a giant hug, so did Dario Franchitti, with each Ganassi Indy 500 winners welcoming Palou into the unique membership.

“I can't consider it. What an incredible day. What an incredible race,” Palou stated. “I can't consider it. It was robust. Robust situations on the market, particularly in case you have been like, third or fourth within the pack. Even main, the gas consumption was tremendous excessive, so that they didn’t need me to guide. I wished to guide, actually, so yeah, made it occur.”

In the meantime, Ericsson climbed from his automobile and pressed his fingers to his face on the disappointment of coming oh-so near a second Indianapolis 500 victory.

Ericsson, the 2022 Indy 500 winner, completed second for Andretti International in a 1-2 end for Honda. David Malukas was third for A.J. Foyt Racing and the highest-finishing Chevrolet.

Josef Newgarden’s bid to win three consecutive Indy 500s ended with a gas pump challenge. He was attempting to change into the primary driver to return from the again row to win as a result of he and Crew Penske teammate Will Energy have been dropped to the again of the sector for failing inspection earlier than qualifying.

Energy wound up nineteenth, the highest-finishing Penske driver on a depressing day for the group owned by Roger Penske. He earlier this week fired his high three IndyCar executives for a second technical infraction in simply over a yr, and has needed to defend the optics of his groups failing inspections when he additionally owns IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy500.

Penske has received the Indy 500 a document 20 instances.

It was Indy 500 win quantity six for Ganassi, who has been on a dominating wave since hiring Palou forward of the 2021 season. Palou then received the championship that yr, has added two extra titles and now appears on tempo for a fourth one.

“The man is simply unbelievable — I don’t know what else to say,” Ganassi stated. “It's an unbelievable factor — it’s going to make Alex Palou’s profession, it'll make his life, and it has definitely made mine.”

Palou began the race tied with Pato O’Ward because the co-favorites, listed at +500 by BetMGM. O’Ward completed fourth — the fifth time in six profession begins the Mexican has completed sixth or increased.

Kyle Larson received’t full “the double” after crashing out of the Indianapolis 500 earlier than he headed to North Carolina to compete within the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race.