As the IndyCar season nears its conclusion with just three races remaining, Alex Palou is leading the championship chase by a significant margin. The Spanish driver’s commanding performance has caught the attention of Arrow McLaren team boss Tony Kanaan, who revealed that Palou’s image is a motivating presence on his refrigerator, symbolizing the standard his team aims to reach.
Following the IndyCar event at Laguna Seca, Tony Kanaan spoke on The Race IndyCar podcast about Arrow McLaren’s progress this season and how it compares to the achievements of Palou and his Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) team. Kanaan described Arrow McLaren as still developing but inspired by the high level Palou has set in the current campaign.
Kanaan praised Palou’s dominance and the challenge he poses to his team, saying:
“It’s pretty remarkable what Palou is doing, to be fair. I mean, as a driver, it’s one of those seasons that he will never forget because he dominated. We will never forget because we got beat. We can’t wake up. But I got to give it to the guy. He’s raising my game every day. I wake up with his picture on my fridge every morning. I look at his face.” —Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren Team Boss
Palou’s victory at Laguna Seca was his eighth of the season, further solidifying his lead by 121 points over Pato O’Ward. If Palou wins the final three races, he has the opportunity to set a new record for the most wins in a single IndyCar season.
Insights from Pato O’Ward on the Championship Fight After Laguna Seca
Despite finishing fourth at Laguna Seca, Pato O’Ward remains Alex Palou’s closest competitor, having narrowed the points gap to 99 following his win in Toronto. However, Palou’s commanding performance in the Laguna Seca race — including securing pole position and leading for over 80 laps — extended his advantage significantly.
O’Ward began the Laguna Seca race in second place but was unable to maintain his position, ultimately finishing fourth. This result increased Palou’s lead to 121 points, a margin that makes winning the championship a steep uphill battle for the Arrow McLaren driver.
Reflecting on his championship prospects in an interview with FOX, O’Ward acknowledged the difficulty but remained focused on the challenge ahead:
“It’s a tall task, but still mathematically possible. Is it likely? Probably not, but we’re going to keep on pushing…We never really got worse than fifth this month. So five races in the top five and two of those being wins. That’s pretty awesome.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Driver
If O’Ward finishes second in the championship standings, it would mark his best IndyCar season to date, improving on his third-place finish in 2021 while driving for Arrow McLaren.
What Palou’s Dominance Means for the Future of IndyCar and Arrow McLaren
Alex Palou’s stronghold on the 2024 IndyCar championship highlights the level of excellence needed to secure a title, pushing rival teams like Arrow McLaren to elevate their performance. Tony Kanaan’s admiration for Palou’s consistency and speed demonstrates the high bar Palou has set within the series.
With only three races remaining in the season, Palou’s pursuit of a record-breaking number of wins looks highly probable. Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren continues to develop as a team, inspired by both Palou’s success and the persistent efforts of drivers like Pato O’Ward. The remainder of the season will test the resilience and growth of these teams as they look toward 2025 and beyond.
The championship race, while seemingly tilted in Palou’s favor, has kept teams motivated and fans engaged, underscoring the competitive spirit that defines IndyCar racing.