While a wild drop from P6-P14 initially put hopes in doubt, Alex Palou’s fuel-save in sweltering heat propelled him to victory at the 2025 IndyCar XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, marking triumphant return to the top step of the podium.
The race, held on the iconic 4.048-mile circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin marked the ninth round of the NTT IndyCar Series and unfolded under extreme conditions with track temperatures soaring above 91°F.
The combination of heat, a fiercely competitive field, and the ever-present challenge of Road America’s undulating layout set the stage for a dramatic and unpredictable afternoon of racing.
As the race went green, rookie sensation Louis Foster made a clean getaway from pole to defend his lead into the treacherous Turn 1. Scott McLaughlin seized the opportunity created by Foster’s defensive line, slipping past both Palou and Kirkwood who were boxed in behind the pole sitter.
The opening laps were fraught with tension as drivers jostled for position each mindful of the strategic implications that would play out over the race’s 55 laps.
Alex Palou’s race did not begin as he might have hoped. Starting on the harder primary tyre, the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Honda lost several positions in the opening exchanges dropping out of the top five as the field settled into a rhythm.
Full IndyCar Road America 2025 Race Results
Meanwhile, chaos erupted further back as David Malukas spun off and got beached in the gravel triggering the first caution of the day.
The early stoppage set the tone for a race that would be punctuated by incidents and strategic gambles. The first round of pit stops commenced under yellow with teams already recalculating their strategies in light of the caution.
Notably, Scott Dixon, starting deep in the field from 25th made an early stop on lap three, a move that would prove pivotal in the closing stages.
Back at the front Foster continued to lead but was under relentless pressure from McLaughlin who eventually executed a bold move around the outside to claim the top spot.
Palou, meanwhile, was beginning to recover, methodically working his way back through the field as the race approached its midpoint. However, the field was splintered by a series of cautions and divergent pit strategies as the battle for supremacy intensified with no clear leader emerging.
The likes of Felix Rosenqvist, Santino Ferrucci, and Marcus Armstrong began to feature prominently each employing a unique approach to tire and fuel management.
The unpredictability of the 2025 IndyCar XPEL Grand Prix at Road America was heightened by the fact that many drivers including Palou and Dixon were forced to balance outright pace with the need to conserve fuel for a potential late-race sprint.
However, in the final 15 laps the complexion of the race shifted dramatically. Dixon, having executed his off-sequence strategy to perfection found himself in the lead but was perilously short on fuel.
Palou now back in contention was running with a two-lap fuel advantage over his teammate but still faced the daunting task of fending off a charging Felix Rosenqvist who was on a more conventional strategy and had the pace to challenge for victory.
The closing laps were a tense affair with Dixon ultimately forced to pit for a splash of fuel with just two laps remaining, relinquishing the lead to Palou.
Rosenqvist closed the gap to within two seconds but Alex Palou’s fuel-save and composure under pressure ensured he maintained a slender advantage, ultimately taking the checkered flag to claim his seventh victory of the season.
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Rosenqvist secured a well-deserved second place marking his best result since September 2023 while Santino Ferrucci completed the podium for AJ Foyt Enterprises, capping off a remarkable drive from 18th on the grid.
Kyle Kirkwood finished fourth for Andretti Global while Marcus Armstrong marked the second Meyer Shank Honda in the top five. Kyffin Simpson delivered another solid performance for Chip Ganassi Racing, in sixth while David Malukas recovered from his early off-track excursion to take seventh for AJ Foyt.
Nolan Siegel finished eighth for Arrow McLaren while Scott Dixon salvaged ninth place after a remarkable charge from the back of the grid despite a late pit stop. Rinus VeeKay completed the top ten for Dale Coyne Racing.
