Seven and counting: Palou extends dominant IndyCar title run

©IndyCar/ChrisOwens

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©IndyCar/ChrisOwens

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou cemented his dominance of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a dramatic and historic victory Sunday at Iowa Speedway, securing his seventh win of the year.

Palou became the first driver in three decades to notch seven wins in a single INDYCAR season, matching a feat last achieved by Al Unser Jr. in 1994.

The Spanish star capitalized on a well-timed caution to leapfrog rivals Josef Newgarden and David Malukas in the final round of pit stops, seizing the lead under yellow and controlling the closing 11 laps in the No. 10 DHL Honda.

©IndyCar/TravisHinkle

“Speechless, honestly speechless,” said Palou. “It’s been an unbelievable day, an unbelievable weekend. More than anything, what an incredible year for us. I really cannot believe it, honestly.”

The victory, which completed Palou’s sweep of all track types—street, road, superspeedway, and short oval—extended his championship lead to a commanding 129 points over Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, who won Saturday’s opening race of the Iowa doubleheader.

Scott Dixon and Marcus Armstrong completed a podium sweep for Ganassi-aligned entries, while Newgarden, despite leading 232 laps the day before, finished a frustrating 10th.

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.