Alex Pau became the first driver from Spain to win the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday’s deadline lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, beating former Chip Ganasi racing teammate Marcus Erickson.
Having won three IndyCar titles in four years, Palou came to Speedway with four wins in the first five races of the season, including the last two. However, he was circling on the calendar in sixth place, “the biggest sight of the race.”
Without the Indy 500 victory, Palou said his career resume would never be perfect.
Palou stopped over the brick garden, then climbed, nearly losing his balance as he raised his arms in victory. He jumped off, ran off the stretch in front, took off his gloves and threw them behind him, eventually being wrapped in a jubilant celebration by his father, Ramon and his Chip Ganasi racing team.
Scott Dixon gave him a big hug, so did Dario Francitti.
“I can’t believe it. What a great day. What a great race,” Paul said. “I can’t believe it. It was tough, especially if you’re like the third or fourth in the pack. Even the readings were so high, they didn’t want to lead me.
Meanwhile, Ericson climbed out of his car and pressed his hand into his face, disappointed by his approaching his second Indianapolis 500 victory.
Ericsson, the 2022 Indy 500 winner, finished second in Andretti Global with a 1-2 finish for Honda. David Malukas was third in AJ Foy Racing and Best Finish Chevrolet.
Josef Newgarden’s bid to win three consecutive 500s ended with the issue of fuel pumps. He was trying to become the first driver from the back row to win, as he and Team Penske’s teammate Willpower were dropped behind the field after failing before qualifying.
Power came in 19th place. The best finishing pensuke driver on a disastrous day for an organization owned by Roger Pensuke. He had to protect his team’s optics earlier this week when he fired a top three IndyCar executive for his second technical violation in over a year and owned an IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and an Indy500.
Penske won the Indy 500 A Record 20 times.
For Ganassi, who has been riding the dominant wave since hiring Palou ahead of the 2021 season, he was sixth in the Indy 500 victory. Parow then won the championship that year, adding two more titles, and appears to be watching the fourth title at pace.
“The guy is incredible. I don’t know what else to say,” Ganassi said. “It’s incredible. It was going to make Alex Pallow’s career and make his life, and it certainly became mine.”
Palou began a race tied to Patooward as a co-lovers listed as +500 by BetMgm. O’Ward finished fourth. In his six careers, Mexicans have completed more than six times.
Kyle Larson doesn’t complete the “double” after crashing from the Indianapolis 500 before heading to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race.
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