Spanish driver Alex Palou, competing for Chip Ganassi Racing, has established himself as the dominant contender in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Championship. With five victories in the first eight races, Palou holds a commanding lead and now faces two critical upcoming events that could determine his quest for a third consecutive championship.
Despite a setback at the Detroit Grand Prix where contact with David Malukas forced him to retire, Palou maintains a substantial 73-point advantage over his closest rival. His consistent performance has positioned him strongly as the season progresses, but experts emphasize the importance of the next two road races at Road America and Mid-Ohio.
Insiders emphasize Palou’s performance as key to maintaining championship lead
IndyCar insider Curt Cavin highlighted that Palou’s main challenge may lie within his own team’s focus and execution during the pivotal races coming up. Cavin views the championship as effectively Palou’s to lose, provided he and his crew maximize their potential over this upcoming stretch.
“It seems to me Alex Palou’s battle is largely internal, and by that I mean it’s his championship to lose. If he and the No. 10 crew at Chip Ganassi Racing command these next two races as they are capable of, it will take a miracle to catch them. However, if they aren’t on their game at Road America (this weekend) and Mid-Ohio (July 4-6), the title fight could get very interesting very quickly. Ultimately, what I’m saying is that this driver with a 73-point lead has a key stretch awaiting him, but if he rolls through these two road races, he’s a shoo-in for another championship. If he doesn’t, he will be vulnerable down the stretch,” Curt Cavin stated (via IndyCar)
Palou’s current tally of 335 points puts him comfortably ahead of Pato O’Ward, but the pressure of these upcoming races will test his ability to maintain dominance through the final part of the season.
Scott Dixon jokes about giving Palou a break to curb his momentum
Amidst Palou’s rise, fellow IndyCar veteran Scott Dixon, a six-time series champion, brought some humor to the 2025 Indy 500 Victory Celebration by teasing Palou with a playful gift aimed at interrupting his dominance. Dixon offered Palou an “all expenses paid vacation” for himself and his family to enjoy a break, underlining how formidable Palou has been this season.
Palou entered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the back-to-back champion, having claimed three titles in four seasons. His strong start to 2025—winning four of the first five races—reminded fans of racing legends like A.J. Foyt, who once recorded seven straight victories beginning in 1964.
“Also, got a surprise for Alex. I have bought yourself, your wife, and your family a summer vacation which starts this Thursday. It is for five weeks, I hope you really enjoy it, it is all included, man, whatever you need..” said Dixon.
This lighthearted moment underscored how deeply Palou has asserted his position as the driver to beat, with the NTT IndyCar Series championship currently well within his grasp.
Palou’s championship outlook and what to watch next
The upcoming races at Road America and Mid-Ohio will be decisive for Alex Palou’s 2025 IndyCar Championship title defense. Should he and Chip Ganassi Racing dominate these events as expected, Palou would move very close to a rare third consecutive championship, solidifying his place among IndyCar’s elite.
With a 73-point cushion, Palou controls the destiny of the season, but any mishaps could open the door for challengers like Pato O’Ward to close the gap. Fans and analysts alike will closely follow the upcoming road races, which promise to shape the final championship battle and potentially mark a historic milestone in American open-wheel racing.