Alex Palou continues to assert his dominance in the IndyCar series, positioning himself to join an elite group by potentially securing his fourth championship at just 28 years old. As the series makes its stop at Portland International Raceway in Oregon this weekend, Palou’s relentless pursuit of the IndyCar championship remains the central narrative, frustrating many of his competitors who struggle to keep pace.

Palou, driving the No. 10 DHL Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, is within striking distance of tying Sébastien Bourdais as the second driver to achieve four IndyCar titles by age 28. His consistent top finishes and multiple race wins this season highlight why he remains a formidable force on the track.

Competitors Express Frustration Over Palou’s Consistency

Christian Lundgaard, a driver for Arrow McLaren, captured the mixed feelings among many in the field. Although proud of his own early-season performance — which includes three podium finishes in five races — Lundgaard admitted it can be difficult to match Palou’s regular success.

Lundgaard described the challenge:

What’s very interesting with the 10 car (Palou’s DHL Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing) is even though they’re having bad weekends, they still come out ahead, right? That’s what’s super-frustrating for all of us. Even if he makes a mistake, the team makes a mistake, they make it up somehow. They’re there every single time. You have to give them kudos for being that competitive every time, and they’ve raised the bar.

—Christian Lundgaard, NTT IndyCar Series Driver

Despite his rivals’ frustration, Palou remains humble and somewhat amazed by his accomplishments. Reflecting on his success, he shared,

I feel like somebody has took me from my place and then just put me here and it’s like, ‘What is going on?’ I don’t know if that makes sense, but I just don’t feel or I cannot really comprehend everything that’s happening—not only this year, but if I look back at ever since I started in IndyCar, my dream was just to be a professional race car driver, and I never thought about records or anything like that. It’s amazing to be there. I cannot really comprehend. I owe everything to my team and everybody that is behind me. It’s not that I’m not conscious about what’s going on. It’s just that I cannot really believe it, and I’m just riding the wave and enjoying every single second of it and having fun,

—Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Driver

Palou also downplayed any negative treatment from his competitors, stating,

I have not seen that they treat me different or they don’t talk to me or that they are grumpy or anything. Obviously, I know they don’t like it. I know that nobody is happy about it, only us, only the 10 car and CGR. But it is what it is. It’s competition. We are just trying to do the best we can.

—Alex Palou

Historical Context of IndyCar Championships

The pursuit of his fourth championship places Palou in rarefied air among IndyCar greats. Legendary driver A.J. Foyt leads with seven titles spanning from 1960 to 1996, while Palou’s teammate Scott Dixon owns six championships, achieved between 2003 and 2020.

When Palou officially wins his fourth title, he will join Mario Andretti, Sébastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti as the only drivers with four championships each, placing him third on the all-time list behind Foyt and Dixon. Notably, Palou will have reached this milestone at a younger age than most, apart from Bourdais, who also reached four titles by age 28 in 2007 during his run of consecutive championships in Champ Car.

Other drivers’ ages when achieving four championships include:

• A.J. Foyt: 29 years old at his fourth title
• Scott Dixon: 35 years old for his fourth title, most recently winning at age 40
• Dario Franchitti: 38 years old
• Mario Andretti: 44 years old in 1984 when he last secured the crown

Palou’s growing legacy also adds to the success record of the Ganassi Racing organization, boosting its total to 18 IndyCar titles. This tally includes championships won by notable drivers such as Dixon, Franchitti, Jimmy Vasser, Alex Zanardi, and Juan Pablo Montoya, reflecting a sustained period of dominance throughout IndyCar history.

Significance and Future Implications of Palou’s Success

As Palou races toward securing his fourth IndyCar championship, his achievements highlight both his personal talent and the strength of his team at Chip Ganassi Racing. His success not only sets new standards for young drivers but also reshapes competitive dynamics in the series, presenting an ongoing challenge to rivals like Lundgaard. The Pacific Northwest round at Portland International Raceway will serve as another critical moment in Palou’s championship journey, with the outcome likely to influence the race for the title in the remaining events this season.

Palou’s ability to consistently perform at an elite level enhances the profile of the IndyCar series, inspiring emerging drivers while reinforcing Ganassi Racing’s status as a powerhouse. The continued rivalry and the pursuit of records will likely attract increased attention and excitement throughout the remainder of the IndyCar season.