Palou seals IndyCar title with commanding win in Portland

©IndyCar

Alex Palou clinched on Sunday his second career IndyCar title thanks to a decisive win in the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway.

The Chip Ganassi Racing charger was crowned with one race to spare in the NTT IndyCar Series after claiming his fifth win of the 2023 season, the Spaniard beating Arrow McLaren's Felix Rosenqvist by 5.4s while his CGR teammate Scott Dixon was third.

"That’s what we wanted," Palou said after his commanding win. "It was an amazing weekend overall.

"We had really fast cars. We knew we had to go for it, and we just raced how we’ve been doing all season. Super proud to be here in victory lane and super proud of the second championship.

"I never thought that I would be an IndyCar champion, and to be a two-time IndyCar champion feels amazing, like a dream.

"I can’t think our guys and girls enough, they gave me all the tools I needed to win. We’ll just keep rolling."

©IndyCar

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.