Alex Palou, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver and three-time IndyCar Series champion, is one of four racers nominated for the Best Driver category at the 2025 ESPY Awards hosted by ESPN. Joining Palou in this prestigious list are Joey Logano, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen. The nomination highlights Palou’s exceptional form, especially following his dominant start to the 2025 season and his historic victory at the Indianapolis 500.
History of IndyCar Driver Recognition at the ESPYs
Since its beginning in 1993, the ESPY Awards have included IndyCar drivers in the Best Driver category, adding fan voting to the process in 2004. Throughout these years, several IndyCar competitors have earned nominations and wins, reflecting the series’ growing prominence beyond traditional racing circles. Alex Palou’s nomination continues this tradition, underscoring his rising status within motorsport.
Palou’s Growing ESPY Achievements
At 28 years old, Palou has already secured two ESPY nominations consecutively for 2024 and 2025. His three IndyCar Series championships, earned in 2021, 2023, and 2024, along with his groundbreaking Indianapolis 500 victory as the first Spaniard to do so, have cemented his place in the sport. Notably, he won six of the opening nine races of 2025, showcasing consistent top-level performance that has caught widespread attention.
Past IndyCar Winners and Nominees at the ESPYs
Al Unser Jr., a two-time IndyCar champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, was the first IndyCar driver to win the ESPY Best Driver Award, taking the honor in 1995. His success in the CART/Champ Car series helped place IndyCar firmly in the spotlight during the awards’ early years.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar Series champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner, won back-to-back ESPYs in 2013 and 2014. His consistent victories and strong season finishes made him the most recent IndyCar driver to secure the Best Driver award, proving the category’s competitiveness across motorsport disciplines.
Sam Hornish Jr., a three-time IndyCar champion and 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner, earned nominations in 2003 and 2006 during his peak with Team Penske. His early career success, with 18 wins by age 27, placed him among top racers alongside Tony Stewart and Michael Schumacher in highly competitive nomination fields.
Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion and 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner, holds the record for the most ESPY Best Driver nominations from the IndyCar series with six. Despite this impressive number, he has yet to secure a win, highlighting the fierce competition in this award category.
The Continuing Impact of Alex Palou’s ESPY Presence
Alex Palou’s consecutive ESPY nominations and strong performances indicate a sustained upward trajectory in his career, enhancing the recognition of IndyCar drivers on the international stage. As the sport evolves and gains visibility, Palou’s continued success may inspire a new generation of racers and fans alike, potentially increasing IndyCar’s influence within racing awards and broader media attention.