At the Detroit Grand Prix on June 1, David Malukas of A.J. Foyt Racing was involved in a collision that ended Alex Palou‘s impressive winning streak. Palou, the championship leader, was forced to retire after the crash, marking a sudden and intense turn in the race.

Starting fifth, Palou advanced to third early in the race but lost positions after a pitstop, dropping to seventh place. With 28 laps remaining at Turn 1, Malukas’ #4 car collided with Palou’s vehicle, preventing the Spaniard from returning to the pits and causing him to exit the race prematurely.

In a post-race conversation with IndyCar staff writer Curt Cavin, Palou shared his thoughts on the incident:

“It doesn’t feel great, but there’s nothing we could have done there. It’s very unfortunate. We did an amazing recovery this weekend (as) we didn’t really have much pace at the beginning (of the weekend). I thought we were running good to try to sneak onto the podium (as a top-three finisher) there at the end.” —Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver

Palou’s start to the 2025 season has been remarkable, setting records and solidifying his status among racing’s elite. He opened the year with a win at the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg on March 2, climbing from eighth position to claim victory. Apart from one second-place finish at the ACURA Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13, Palou consistently reached the top step of the podium.

Despite the setback in Detroit, Palou maintains a strong lead in the drivers‘ championship standings. With 311 points, he holds a 90-point advantage over second-place contender Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren. Palou and the Chip Ganassi Racing team now shift their focus to the upcoming Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on June 15, where they aim to recover from this unexpected incident.

Reflecting on the significance of the Indianapolis 500 victory

In a recent interview, Alex Palou reflected on his win at the Indianapolis 500, which he considers a key milestone in his racing career. Palou expressed how essential this achievement felt to his personal and professional journey in motorsport.

When asked how the Indy 500 victory ranks compared to his championship titles, Palou replied:

“It’s tough to compare. Where I rank emotionally, I would say the best I’ve ever been and the best I’ve ever felt, and I’m comparing, like, all days of my entire life. Where does this rank compared to championships and stuff? I think it’s tough. It’s very tough to compare. But I’m glad that I got one. It just feels amazing.” —Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver

This victory, often called the ‘Greatest Spectacle of Racing,’ remains a defining highlight of Palou’s career and adds depth to his pursuit of racing excellence as he continues to lead the 2025 drivers‘ championship.