Leading the IndyCar Series standings, Alex Palou claimed his seventh win of the season during the Farm to Finish 275 at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on Sunday. This victory keeps Palou’s pursuit of the all-time single-season IndyCar wins record well within reach as he continues a remarkable streak in 2024.
Chasing Historical Milestones in IndyCar Racing
Having secured fifth place in Saturday’s opening race of the doubleheader weekend, Palou maintained his competitive edge across the two events at Iowa Speedway. The current record for most wins in a single IndyCar season stands at 10, jointly held by A.J. Foyt (1964) and Al Unser (1970). Palou’s seven wins in the opening 12 races match Al Unser Jr.’s impressive 1994 start, where Unser Jr. converted seven early wins into eight total that year.
Reflecting on his recent success, Palou expressed amazement, stating,
“Speechless, honestly speechless. It’s been an unbelievable day, an unbelievable weekend. More than anything, what an incredible year for us.”
I really cannot believe it, honestly.
—Alex Palou, IndyCar Driver
Strategic Pit Stops and Race Management Fuel Palou’s Win
Palou led 194 of the 275 laps, second only to Josef Newgarden’s 232 laps led on Saturday. During Sunday’s race, Palou was initially third behind Newgarden and David Malukas as they pitted under green flag conditions late in the race. Choosing to stay out, Palou capitalized on a timely caution flag triggered when Colton Herta hit the wall on the backstretch, allowing him to pit under yellow and maintain track position for the final laps.
Palou then held off challengers to win, completing the Indianapolis 500 champion‘s full set of race victories across all IndyCar track types—including street circuits, road courses, superspeedways, and short ovals like Iowa Speedway.
Top Finishers and Championship Standings After Iowa Weekend
Scott Dixon finished second, followed by Marcus Armstrong in third. David Malukas and Pato O’Ward came in fourth and fifth respectively, while Newgarden dropped to tenth after leading many laps. Palou currently leads the championship by 129 points over O’Ward, aiming for his third consecutive series championship and his fourth title in five years.
Health Update on Nolan Siegel and Team Decisions
Nolan Siegel, who qualified fifth for Sunday’s race, was sidelined due to a mild concussion sustained in a crash on lap 248 of Saturday’s race. Arrow McLaren’s team decided not to field the No. 6 Chevrolet on Sunday, citing medical caution and ongoing evaluation ahead of the next race scheduled in Toronto.
Siegel had finished 24th in Saturday’s race before his withdrawal was confirmed.
Implications for the Remainder of the Season
Palou’s continued success at Iowa Speedway highlights his adaptability across diverse racing conditions and strengthens his bid to break the long-standing IndyCar wins record for a single season. As the series heads toward upcoming events, including Toronto, many will watch to see if Palou can sustain his momentum and extend his lead in the title chase.