Alex Palou’s Indy 500 win came after fending off a determined Marcus Ericsson in a dramatic conclusion to the 109th running of the legendary race at Indianapolis, making him the first Spanish driver to achieve the remarkable feat.
The Chip Ganassi Racing star had entered the race with a reputation as one of the most dominant drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series, boasting three championships and a string of recent victories. Yet, despite his impressive resume, the Borg-Warner Trophy—symbolizing Indianapolis 500 glory—had eluded him.
However, that changed in 2025 as Alex Palou delivered a masterclass in patience, strategy, and daring overtakes to claim his place among the legends of the sport.
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 was a race brimming with drama from the outset. The field featured 33 of the world’s top open-wheel drivers, each vying for a chance to etch their name into motorsport history.
The event was marked by a turbulent start with Scott McLaughlin—a pre-race favorite—crashing on the pace lap while attempting to heat up his tires.
Full Indy 500 Race Results 2025 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The early incident set the tone for a race that would be punctuated by caution periods and mechanical woes as Marco Andretti also saw his race end abruptly on the opening lap after a crash, further thinning the field of contenders.
As the race settled into a rhythm, pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman had taken the early lead but it wasn’t long before he faced a dramatic setback when he collided with his own pit crew due to a brake issue. The incident resulted in minor injuries to one crew member and ended Shwartzman’s race prematurely.
Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden who had started from the back of the grid in 33rd position, mounted a remarkable charge through the field.
Newgarden’s run was one of the highlights of the early stages as he climbed to sixth before a fuel pressure issue forced him to retire, dashing his hopes of a historic three-peat.
The mid-portion of the race was dominated by strategic chess games among the leading teams. Multiple safety car periods in the first half kept the field tightly bunched, but the final 94 laps were run under green flag conditions, testing the drivers’ stamina and the teams’ ability to manage fuel and tyres.
Marcus Ericsson emerged as the main challenger to Alex Palou. Ericsson’s pit strategy allowed him to make his final stop later than most front-runners, giving him a clear track and the lead with just 28 laps remaining.
However, Palou—who had been biding his time—began his charge, overtaking David Malukas before setting his sights on Ericsson. With 14 laps to go, the Spaniard made his decisive move past the Swede to take the lead.
Ericsson threw everything he had at Palou, but the Chip Ganassi Racing driver held firm, ultimately crossing the yard of bricks as the first Spanish driver to win the Indianapolis 500, a landmark achievement for both himself and his country.
Alex Palou’s Indy 500 win was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
“I cannot believe it,” Palou said in the post-race press conference. “What an amazing day. What an amazing race. … By the 10 crew, everybody at CGR, HRC. I cannot believe it. It’s amazing to be here. It’s amazing to win.”
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Behind the leading duo, David Malukas delivered a career-best performance to finish third. Pato O’Ward finished fourth while Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five.
The top ten was completed by Kyle Kirkwood, Santino Ferrucci, Christian Rasmussen, Christian Lundgaard, and Conor Daly, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short of the podium after a late-race struggle with tire wear.
Further down the order, the race saw a mix of strong performances and unfortunate retirements. Scott Dixon finished a disappointing 23rd after struggling with car setup, Castroneves finished 13th while Will Power ended up in 19th.
The race was also notable for the presence of NASCAR star Kyle Larson who had hoped to complete the Memorial Day Weekend “Double” by racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. However, Larson’s Indy 500 ended before the halfway point, dashing his ambitious bid.
