Palou takes another giant step toward record IndyCar title

©IndyCar/JoeSkibinski

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©IndyCar/JoeSkibinski

Is there anything Alex Palou can’t do right now?

The Spaniard delivered yet another masterclass on Sunday at Portland International Raceway, steering his No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to a commanding victory in the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland.

The win marks Palou’s sixth victory of the season and the 25th of his incredible career – placing him within striking distance of a record-tying fourth consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES title and his fifth overall championship!

The 110-lap race turned into a high-stakes chess match of tyre management and precision strategy.

After starting second behind pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist, Palou used a brilliant overcut strategy on Lap 32 to leapfrog into the lead.

From there, Palou navigated traffic and tire degradation with surgical precision, stretching his championship lead to a staggering 110 points over Kyle Kirkwood with just five races left on the calendar.

©IndyCar/ChrisOwens

“Everybody at CGR and Honda did an incredible job,” Palou beamed after taking the checkered flag by over four seconds.

“I had an absolute rocket ship today. It was very, very nice to drive every single lap. Chip puts the best guys around me, but then also everybody is just executing.”

Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist crossed the finish line in a strong second place after leading the opening 30 laps, while two-time champion Will Power completed the podium in third during his first Portland outing with Andretti Global.

With momentum firmly on his side and a cushion of more than two full races, Palou isn't just driving – he's writing history in real time. Next stop: continuing the relentless march toward IndyCar immortality next weekend on the streets of Markham, Ontario.

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.