Palou makes it look easy, clinches 2nd IndyCar title in 3 years (plus stats, VIDEOS)
PORTLAND, Ore. - Alex Palou was always a favorite to win the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series championship, but very few would've ever thought he'd win in such dominant fashion.
The 26-year-old Spaniard clinched his second series title in only his fourth season Sunday afternoon, becoming the first driver since Sébastien Bourdais in 2007 to win it all before the season's final race.
Not finishing worse than eighth all year, Palou clinched his second IndyCar title in three seasons with Sunday's race win at Portland International Raceway, putting an exclamation point on a phenomenal season that already included four additional wins and two pole positions.
Palou’s first win of the year came at the Indianapolis road course in May. There, he took the points lead and never looked back, holding off challenges from Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon.
With only Palou and Dixon remaining as title contenders coming into Portland, Palou only needed to leave PIR with a 54-point lead to seal the deal.
All he had to do was finish 11th or better -- but a podium would certainly do it with an exclamation point -- to do so, yet he still put on a masterful performance Sunday, driving his No. 10 Honda into victory lane after leading a race-high 69 laps of the 110-lap event.
"I'm so proud to be here in victory lane and to get my second championship and the 15th for Chip Ganassi Racing," Paulo said. "To be a two-time IndyCar champion, it just feels like a dream. I cannot thank these guys and girls enough. They give me all the tools I needed to win so we will keep on rolling."
Palou joins Dixon, Dario Franchitti, and Alex Zanardi as drivers who have won multiple championships for CGR. While one of team owner Chip Ganassi's cars was going to win the title regardless, the boss man was still happy Palou was able to clinch it a week early.
"Alex is certainly special and we noticed that in his first weekend and his first race win at Barber three years ago,” Ganassi said. "I told him, 'Hey, let's go wrap this up with a win,' and he said, 'Okay great.' He called his shot today."
But despite his dominant season, Palou’s road to a second title was not the only headline he made this year. Most news surrounding him recently involved his contract disputes between CGR and Arrow McLaren SP.
Last year, Palou was sued by CGR for breach of contract when he stated he would move to McLaren in 2023 -- even though Ganassi had already exercised his option year to keep Palou through 2023.
Eventually, all parties agreed that Palou would continue to race for CGR this season, with the assumption he would race for McLaren - either in IndyCar or Formula One - starting in 2024.
Recently, McLaren sued Palou for damages ranging between $20 million and $30 million for breach of contract when Palou announced he would not be honoring his future contract. While Palou’s contract disputes have been very well documented, he clearly has not let them affect his on-track performance.
And now with Ganassi confirming that Palou will return to his team again next season, the 26-year-old driver looks to continue to race in America for at least one or more years.
“I said it many times that it was not my full focus,” Palou said when asked if he still has thoughts of pursuing a Formula One career. “Then when an opportunity came, I had to go for it, I felt.
“At the same time, I know I'm not 21 or 19. I'm already 26, which is good. I'm not saying I'm old, but I mean, it's not that I'm super young.
“So next year I'll be 27. If an opportunity comes in the future, which is like a really, really small chance, I'll think about it for sure, 100%.
“But I'm happy honestly. As long as I keep on winning championships and races or battling for championships I think I'll have a great career.”
If he continues to put on performances like did this year, Palou very well could be correct.
While Palou may have already wrapped up the title fight, one race still remains on the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series schedule. The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterrey takes place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, September 10 at 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC).
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