🏁 Palou Wins 2025 Indy 500 with Lasting Lead and First Oval Win

Alex Palou captured the 2025 Indianapolis 500 with a bold move on Lap 187 and nerves of steel to the finish, claiming his first career oval victory and becoming the first Spanish driver to win the Indy 500. Already a three-time INDYCAR champion, Palou added the sport’s crown jewel to his resume, leading the final 13 laps before the race ended under caution due to a final-lap crash by rookie Nolan Siegel.

“Best milk I’ve ever tasted,” Palou said. “It tastes so good. What an amazing feeling.”

It was a race where strategy met instinct—and Palou nailed both. On a day defined by weather, wrecks, and raw precision, he delivered a drive worthy of immortality.

🌧️ Rain Delay and Early Mayhem Shape the Race

The event began 43 minutes behind schedule due to a passing shower, and the opening half delivered six cautions by Lap 108—each trimming the field of contenders.

Among the early exits:

• Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) was caught up in contact.
• Marco Andretti spun out in a solo incident.
• Kyle Larson’s ‘Double Duty’ dream—racing Indy and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—ended early due to damage and pit complications.

The most jarring exit came from Robert Shwartzman, who had shocked the field by becoming the first rookie pole-sitter since 1983. His day ended on Lap 87 after he overshot his pit box, slamming into the inside wall and scattering crew members.

⛽ Fuel Calculations and Tire Tactics Define the Second Half

With the chaos behind them, the leaders turned to strategy. Pit windows tightened, fuel mileage margins thinned, and different teams rolled the dice in their own way.

• Takuma Sato led the most laps (51), but his pace didn’t hold to the end.
• Ryan Hunter-Reay was strong until he stalled on the pit exit after leading 48 laps.
• David Malukas, driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, emerged late as a podium threat.

Palou pitted on Lap 168, beginning a fuel-saving run that stretched the outer limits of his tank. Malukas cycled into the lead after Lap 169, but lapped traffic slowed him just as Ericsson rejoined the track following his final stop on Lap 175.

That left Ericsson ahead—but only temporarily.

🏎️ Lap 187: Palou Strikes Before the Final Storm

With 13 laps remaining, Palou used lapped traffic to time a perfect run on Ericsson, diving to the inside of Turn 1 and taking the lead in one swift, decisive move.

“We had those lappers ahead of us that were making it difficult,” Ericsson explained. “He got a run on me… I should’ve covered the inside.”

It was the last of the race’s 22 lead changes.

Palou then managed the gap with measured precision. Ericsson stayed close but couldn’t mount a counterattack. On the final lap, rookie Nolan Siegel spun in Turn 2, crashing his No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and bringing out the final caution. With the field frozen, Palou cruised home under yellow.

It wasn’t a photo finish—it was a strategic triumph.

🥉 Podium Round-Up: Malukas Breaks Through, O’Ward Frustrated Again

David Malukas, returning from an injury that sidelined him for the 2024 500, scored a career-best third place, giving A.J. Foyt Enterprises a welcome return to the front.

“We were just so close,” Malukas said. “He timed it perfectly with the lapped cars. It’s bittersweet… but we’re proud.”

Pato O’Ward again found himself in the top four—but not the top step. His fourth-place finish was his fourth top-four at Indy in five years, still without a win. Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five with a quiet but effective drive for Meyer Shank Racing.

Notable mentions:

• Josef Newgarden retired after 135 laps with mechanical failure, ending his bid to become the first three-peat winner at Indy.
• Shwartzman, the pole-sitting rookie, was officially classified 29th.
• Despite leading most laps, Sato faded to 11th in the final stint.

🏆 Palou’s Drive of Destiny

Palou’s fifth win in six races this season pushes his championship lead over O’Ward to 115 points, but the win was about more than numbers. This was about legacy.

“It’s going to make his life,” said Chip Ganassi. “And it certainly made mine.”

Ganassi now holds six Indy 500 wins, his first since 2022. Palou becomes Spain’s first winner at the Brickyard, earning his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy and securing a place in racing folklore.

🔜 Next: Detroit Street Circuit on June 1

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns next Sunday for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, where tight turns and bumpy pavement await.

But for now, Indianapolis belongs to Alex Palou—not just a champion, but an Indy 500 winner. A driver who found his moment with 13 laps to go never looked back.

🔗 Explore More INDYCAR Coverage at Coffee Corner Motorsport

INDYCAR Announces Indianapolis 500
Post-Race Technical Violations and Penalties  
 

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 26, 2025) – INDYCAR has announced post-race technical inspection penalties for the entries of No. 27 and 28 of Andretti Global and No. 90 of PREMA Racing following Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

During post-race inspection of car Nos. 27 and 28, INDYCAR discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts. According to the INDYCAR rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied. Additionally, these modifications provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars.

Andretti Global was in violation of:

• Rule 9.3.1. Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
• Rule 14.1.2. Questions to be submitted and will be answered via IRIS. Modifications must be approved seven (7) days prior to the date of intended use.
• Rule 14.1.3. All parts provided by an Approved Supplier must be used as supplied without modification unless otherwise approved by INDYCAR and stated in these Rules or in update bulletins.

During INDYCAR’s routine inspection of the front wing assembly of PREMA Racing entry No. 90, the car failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specification.

PREMA Racing was in violation of:

• Rule 9.3.1. Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
• Rule 14.7.6.8. Front wing must adhere to the following Technical Inspection dimensions: 
  • Failure of the left side minimum endplate height
• Rule 14.7.6.4., which requires endplates, wing flaps and mainplanes remain in the designed location.

All three cars (Nos. 27, 28 and 90) have been re-ordered to the rear of the field in order of their placement in the unofficial results. Prize money and championship race points earned are commensurate to the final and official finishing positions. Additionally, each car receives a $100,000 fine and the team/competition managers for the three entries have been placed on a one-race suspension to be served at the next NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at the Streets of Detroit.

New Updated Results are below