2025 INDYCAR Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix Recap: Palou’s Dominant Victory at Barber Motorsports Park

Overview of the 2025 Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix

The 2025 Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, the fourth round of this year’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES, unfolded on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the legendary Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Nestled in the heart of Dixie, the 2.3‑mile, 17‑turn natural‑terrain road course challenged drivers with its mix of sweeping corners and elevation changes, setting the stage for a dramatic early‑season showdown. Under clear skies and temperate conditions, a capacity crowd gathered to witness the series’ premier talents battle for supremacy on one of motorsport’s most revered circuits.

Palou Secures Dominant Victory and Extends Championship Lead

Chip Ganassi Racing’s three‑time champion Álex Palou reaffirmed his status as the driver to beat by securing his third victory in just four starts this season. Palou crossed the finish line with an authoritative lead of 16.0035 seconds over the field—the widest margin of victory in an INDYCAR event since Scott Dixon’s 22.2256‑second romp at World Winner Technology Raceway in August 2023—and marked the 14th win of his career. This triumph underscored Palou’s relentless form and widened his early‑season championship advantage.

Commanding Race Leadership from Pole to Checkered Flag

From pole position aboard the No. 10 HRC Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Palou never looked back, dictating the pace from the drop of the green flag. He led a staggering 81 of the 90 laps on the caution‑free afternoon, leveraging flawless execution during each of his three pit stops to maintain clear track ahead of all challengers. His earliest surge came on lap 4, when he set the fastest lap of the race and instantly put rivals on the back foot, laying the foundation for an unassailable performance.

Lundgaard and McLaughlin Round Out the Podium

Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard carried momentum from his breakout performances to claim second place, adding another podium to his already impressive season. Following closely, Team Penske veteran Scott McLaughlin—winner of the previous two events this year—secured third in his No. 3 Good Ranchers Chevrolet, fending off late advances to round out the podium and reinforce his early‑season consistency.

VeeKay and Power Deliver Strong Top‑Five Finishes

Just behind the podium trio, Rinus VeeKay delivered a standout fourth‑place result for Dale Coyne Racing, overcoming a late pit‑stop hiccup caused by a loose wheel nut to pilot the No. 18 Honda home for the team’s best finish since 2023. Close on his heels, five‑time series champion Will Power rounded out the top five in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, posting his third consecutive top‑six showing and signaling his continued threat in the title chase.

Pit Strategy Decides the Caution‑Free Contest

In a race devoid of caution periods, strategy and pit execution proved pivotal. Palou’s crew delivered consummate service across every stop, allowing him to relinquish the lead only momentarily before rejoining in front and ultimately pulling away with relentless pace. Their precision under green‑flag conditions contrasted sharply with rivals’ struggles, underscoring the critical role of teamwork in modern IndyCar racing.

Palou Reflects on a “Perfect Weekend”

Reflecting on his commanding victory, Palou described the weekend as “a perfect day, a perfect weekend,” praising the car’s performance and his team’s flawless execution from start to finish. He also acknowledged the buoyant championship position, noting, “It means nothing for the championship yet. But for sure, I prefer to be in the position we are now than anybody else’s position.” These remarks captured the confidence of a driver operating at peak form, keenly aware of the fine margins that define IndyCar success.

Championship Implications and What’s Next

With his third win in four outings, Palou now enjoys a formidable 60‑point lead over Lundgaard in the Drivers’ Championship standings—a buffer no rival can erase in a single race—and has matched the best start to a campaign since Sébastien Bourdais won the first four races of his championship run in 2006. The focus now shifts to the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Saturday, May 10, followed by the iconic 109th Indianapolis 500 on May 25, as teams brace for a pivotal stretch where consistency and speed will prove decisive in the fight for IndyCar’s ultimate prize.

Full Finishing Order