Alex Palou wins 2025 Monterey GP and extends IndyCar championship lead

Palou Unstoppable in California

Alex Palou continues to make history in IndyCar. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver once again proved why Laguna Seca is his playground, taking the victory at the Grand Prix of Monterey with a dominant performance that puts him on the brink of the 2025 championship.

Starting from pole, Palou led 84 of the 95 laps and barely lost control of the race, only giving up the lead briefly during pit stops. He crossed the finish line nearly four seconds ahead of his closest rivals.

“It’s been an amazing weekend—one of the best this year. I always love racing here,” Palou said after stepping out of his car.

🏆 Eight Wins, Among the All-Time Greats

With this latest triumph, Palou now has eight wins in fourteen races this season. Only legends like A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Mario Andretti have won more in a single year. At just 28 years old, Palou already holds 19 career victories in the series, solidifying his place as one of the standout talents of his generation.

📊 Flawless Pace and Strategy

Palou now leads the championship by 121 points over Pato O’Ward, who finished fourth. With just three races left on the calendar, the title seems like a matter of time. O’Ward would need to win out and hope for a miracle to close the gap.

On track, Palou’s pace was untouchable. His average finish at Laguna Seca is now an astonishing 1.6 across five races—the best average of any driver at any current venue.

🥈 Lundgaard and Herta Round Out the Podium

Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) secured second place, edging past Colton Herta (Andretti) in a bold move at the final corner. Herta rounded out the podium in a race filled with drama.

From the opening lap, the action was intense. Incidents forced Robert Shwartzman and Felix Rosenqvist off the track early, while mechanical issues and collisions caused more chaos throughout the race. Kyle Kirkwood saw his championship hopes fade after receiving a costly penalty.

⏭ Next Stop: Portland

After a hectic July full of racing, the IndyCar Series will take a short break before heading to Portland, where Palou could mathematically clinch the title.

Grand Prix of Portland
📅 Sunday, August 10 | 🕒 3:00 p.m. ET