Spain’s Alex Palou etched his name in racing history Sunday, executing a daring pass with 14 laps remaining to claim victory at the 109th Indianapolis 500 – becoming the first Spanish driver to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” Fox News reports.
The Chip Ganassi Racing star, who started sixth on the grid, survived multiple caution flags and unpredictable weather to seize the lead from Marcus Ericsson in the closing stages. His triumph marks five wins in six IndyCar races this season, with his only setback being a second-place finish at Long Beach.
Dramatic Finish: Palou navigated lap traffic flawlessly after overtaking Ericsson, crossing the finish line to the roar of 300,000 fans at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Heartbreak for Rossi: Palou benefited from Alexander Rossi’s late disaster when the Andretti driver’s car leaked fluid, caught fire, and forced a retirement.
Crash-Filled Day: The race saw nine drivers exit early, including Kyle Larson, who abandoned his “Double Duty” attempt (Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600).
Palou, 26, celebrated with the traditional milk chug and “kissing the bricks”, joined by his emotional family in Victory Lane. His dominant season continues to solidify his status as IndyCar’s top contender.
Ericsson, David Malukas, Pato O’Ward, and Felix Rosenqvist completed the top five in a race that tested drivers with rain threats and high-speed drama.
