Palou dominates Barber to extend IndyCar points lead

©IndyCar/ChrisOwens

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©IndyCar/ChrisOwens

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou delivered a commanding performance at Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday, taking a dominant victory in the Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

The Spaniard claimed his third win in four races in this season’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES, guiding his No. 10 CGR Honda to a 16.0035-second triumph over Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin rounded out the podium in third.

Palou’s winning margin was the largest in an IndyCar race since Scott Dixon’s 22.2256-second victory at World Wide Technology Raceway in August 2023.

“It was a perfect day, a perfect weekend,” said Palou. “The car was amazing, super fast. I had a ton of fun. I was a bit lonely there, but I loved it. It was an amazing day.”

The win marks the 14th of Palou’s career and carries extra significance, coming at the same venue where he earned his first series victory back in 2021 — also with Chip Ganassi Racing.

The 28-year-old now holds a commanding 60-point lead in the drivers’ championship, which he’ll aim to build on at next weekend’s Sonsio Grand Prix, held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course.

©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.