Race Overview
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES headed back to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the fifth round of the season—the Sonsio Grand Prix. Álex Palou continued his extraordinary run, claiming his fourth victory in five races by driving his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to the checkered flag with a 5.484-second advantage over Pato O’Ward. This marked Palou’s third consecutive win at this event, setting a new series record and matching Sebastien Bourdais’s 2006 start of four wins in the first five races of a season.
Strategic Battles and Key Passes
After starting from pole, Palou yielded the early lead when Graham Rahal dove underneath him into Turn 1 on lap 2. Rahal held the top spot for the majority of the 85-lap contest—leading 49 laps—thanks in part to his aggressive use of alternate Firestone tires. Meanwhile, Palou patiently followed on scuffed rubber, preserving Push-to-Pass boosts for a decisive move. On lap 58, Palou swept by Rahal in Turn 7 and never looked back, immediately extending his advantage with a blistering pace that left rivals trailing in his wake.
Late Caution and Final Push
The race’s lone full-course yellow arrived on lap 70—its first since the season opener—when David Malukas spun into the grass in Turn 10, erasing Palou’s 10-second cushion. On the lap 72 restart, Palou fended off O’Ward into Turn 1 and quickly rebuilt a gap, growing to 2.478 seconds by lap 76. From there, he maintained control to the finish, showcasing both composure under pressure and his No. 10 team’s flawless strategy calls.
Podium and Top Five Finishers
– 1st Álex Palou (No. 10 Honda) – Victory margin: 5.484 seconds
– 2nd Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Chevrolet)
– 3rd Will Power (No. 12 Chevrolet) – Season-best result
– 4th Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Chevrolet)
– 5th Scott Dixon (No. 9 Honda)
Championship Implications
With his fourth triumph in five starts, Palou now leads the championship by a commanding 97 points over Kyle Kirkwood, solidifying his bid for a first series title in five years. His near-perfect season—a win at St. Petersburg, Thermal, Barber, Indianapolis, plus a second at Long Beach—has him on pace with INDYCAR legends and firmly in control of the title chase.
Looking Ahead: Indianapolis 500
All eyes now turn to the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25. Palou, still chasing his inaugural 500 victory, will attempt to extend his dominance on America’s most famous oval circuit and cement his place in motorsport history.
