Paddock Buzz: Rivals Tip Cap to Alex Palou's Sizzling Start

Fox Sports

14-05-2025

INDYCAR
Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou continued his dominating start to the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season by scoring his fourth win in the first five races in Saturday's Sonsio Grand Prix.
The two-time defending series champion has built a commanding 97-point cushion over the closest driver, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner Kyle Kirkwood. Andretti Global driver Kirkwood and Arrow McLaren's Christian Lundgaard, who trails Palou by 98 points, are the only drivers within 100 points of the lead.
'When you have that sort of confidence level, you've got that car underneath, you're pretty damn hard to beat,' Graham Rahal said. 'Look at this points gap. It's the most insane thing. I've been racing in this sport forever, and I've never seen this. I've never seen it, and it's just massively impressive.'
Four-time '500' winner Helio Castroneves, witnessed the opening five races as co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian nd transitions to driver of the No. 06 Cliffs Honda for the team. Castroneves draws a direct line between Palou's dominance and the legendary CGR era of the late 1990s – a time when Jimmy Vasser, Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya ruled the series with an iron grip, earning its first four championships in succession.
'It's hard to beat someone with that momentum, the whole team,' Castroneves said. 'It's not just him; it's the whole team. That gives him the confidence.'
Palou turned the third-fastest lap, 226.673 mph, Tuesday in his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda during the Opening Day of practice in preparation for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Despite being winless in 27 oval starts, including all five at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Palou remains on the minds of his rivals. All believe he can give CGR its sixth '500' victory next Sunday.
The good part is, Rahal and others are aware how Palou is beating them. The bad part is, they don't know how to stop it.
'I think they're on their game,' Rahal said. 'They're fast as hell. They're fast in a straight line. Alex (Palou) is obviously in a different planet, but even (Scott Dixon) Dixie, in the race, his race pace was better than anybody but Alex.
'I mean, what can you do? The answer is, nothing at all. And it's insane.
'When they (Ganassi cars) get to you, how close they can follow compared to everybody else, in Turn 14 (on IMS road), we're hanging on for their lives, I come out of 14 look in the mirror, and I can see his (Palou's) eyeballs, and you're like, 'What are they doing?'
'But then they also overtake, the acceleration rate that they have is far more extreme than any other car that followed me. That just shows you mechanical drag, aerodynamics, they're just on top of their game. It's just damn impressive.'
O'Ward Shows Persistence To Get Helmet to Indy
Turns out the unexpected two-plus-hour rain delay Tuesday came with a silver lining for Pato O'Ward. The delay gave the driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet driver enough time to resolve a frustrating customs issue involving two specialty Indianapolis 500 helmets shipped from Germany.
O'Ward spent much of the morning on the phone, including a 48-minute stint on hold trying to get the helmets cleared through customs.
Officials believed he hadn't paid the necessary fees, but O'Ward insisted otherwise. To ensure the helmets would arrive in time, he even agreed to pay the fee again, asking only for the payment link to expedite the process.
The hard work paid off, with the helmets arriving at his house just before the 2:34 p.m. ET start of practice. They will be at IMS Wednesday.
Franchitti Speaking Right Language to Armstrong
Marcus Armstrong is making his second attempt at qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, but he's not shy about admitting he feels like a rookie.
His '500' debut last year with Chip Ganassi Racing was painfully brief – just six laps, all under caution after a mechanical failure ended his day. With no green-flag laps completed, Armstrong didn't exactly get the full Speedway experience.
'I am almost a '500' rookie, so to speak,' Armstrong said. 'I've still been asking those types of questions.'
This time, he's behind the wheel of the No. 66 Spectrum Honda for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian. Although changing teams, Armstrong benefits from familiar resources thanks to an alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing, his former squad.
'I still use the coffee machine and their toaster and everything,' Armstrong said. 'Just walk in and use it. They have a big TV in their engineering room, as well.'
Beyond appliances, Armstrong has access to one of the sport's greatest minds – Dario Franchitti, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time series champion. Franchitti's ability to break down the nuances of the 2.5-mile oval has been a major asset, even if the generational language can be hard to translate.
'What we're talking about, actually it's complex,' Armstrong said. 'I feel like sometimes with the older generation is a bit of a mismatch in the way that we talk about things.'
Legendary Chat
The driver motorhome lot at IMS has long been a hub of camaraderie, mischief and racing royalty. This May is no exception. While it's known for its occasional pranks among drivers, it also offers a unique window into the legacy and continuity of the Indianapolis 500.
For four-time Indy 500 winner Castroneves, chasing a historic fifth victory this year, even a walk to a media availability turned into a heartwarming moment. As he made his way out of the motorhome lot Tuesday morning, he bumped into a few familiar faces – Franchitti, Tony Kanaan, and Simon Pagenaud – all '500' winners and now elder statesmen of the paddock.
'We're just talking about, imagine the kids looking at us right now — look at those bunch of old farts,' said Castroneves, 50. 'Which is probably how we used to look at the old farts before us.'
It was a lighthearted but poignant reminder of how the Speedway doesn't just test speed and skill – it preserves history and fosters lifelong bonds. For Castroneves, IMS still holds a special, almost magical power.
'Just coming over here again, being back, and it just lights up,' he said. 'Just different feelings. This place brings the best out of me.'
Castroneves Not Done Yet…
Castroneves may be in the final year of his driving contract with Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian, piloting the No. 06 Cliffs Honda, but don't expect the four-time Indy 500 winner to call it quits, especially not if he makes history May 25 by becoming the first five-time winner.
Castroneves was sixth fastest Tuesday, as he was on Opening Day last year. This time, he was faster, going 224.523 compared to 223.669 in 2024.
While his role as a co-owner at MSR changes the dynamics of contract talks, Castroneves made it clear that he's not ready to park his helmet just yet.
'I'm going to come back,' he said with a grin. 'I want a statue!'
It's classic Helio – part humor, part heart – but beneath the joke is a serious racer who still feels the competitive fire. In addition to his commitments, Castroneves recently has explored new challenges, including driving stock cars in Brazil — a shift he sees as invigorating, not as a sign of winding down.
'To become a good driver, you've got to drive different race cars,' he said. 'I feel that now that I have the opportunity to do that – when I spent 20-plus years with Team Penske, I wasn't able to – now that I can, it just feels like I'm a late-bloomer. Like everything started late in my life, which is fine.
'As long as I have the desire, the fun, and know that I can do it, I will keep going.'
Rossi Becomes a Dad
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi and his wife, Kelly, welcomed the birth of their first child, Benjamin, last Wednesday. The Rossi's didn't announce the birth to the world until Mother's Day and, in fact, never mentioned they were expecting.
'My priority for 80, 70 percent of the day is here, and the rest of the time that I can give, I will give at home,' Rossi said.
Rossi, the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner, turned the seventh-fastest lap of the day at 224.347 in the No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet.
BorgWarner Bonus Reset
Josef Newgarden stands on the edge of history at this year's Indianapolis 500 – with the chance to accomplish something no one has in the race's 109-year history by winning three consecutive Indianapolis 500's.
Already a back-to-back winner in 2023 and 2024, Newgarden's bid for a third straight victory carries historical weight and a financial bonus, albeit smaller this time around. Thanks to BorgWarner's jackpot bonus program, the Team Penske star will receive an extra $20,000 if he takes the checkered flag again May 25.
While that figure is modest compared to the $440,000 he pocketed last year – the largest jackpot to date – Newgarden isn't chasing the prize money. He's chasing immortality.
BorgWarner launched the rolling jackpot in 1995 to reward repeat winners, adding $20,000 to the pot each year until it's claimed. It has only been awarded twice: first to Castroneves in 2002 after back-to-back wins (earning $160,000) and then to Newgarden last year following his 2023 and 2024 victories.
Several Teams Welcome New Sponsors
A handful of teams announced Indianapolis 500-only sponsors in the last few days, including two of the four Andretti Global cars.
Siemens will be featured as a primary sponsor on the No. 27 Honda driven by Kyle Kirkwood. The car looks similar to the one teammate Marcus Ericsson has driven the last two seasons. As a result, Ericsson received new branding with Allegra being named as the sponsor on his No. 28 Honda.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announced that Desnuda Tequila will be the primary sponsor of the No. 45 entry driven by 2024 INDY NXT Champion Louis Foster.
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian announced Creed will be featured as the primary sponsor of the No. 60 Honda driven by Felix Rosenqvist, and Spectrum will be the sponsor on Marcus Armstrong's No. 66 Honda.
Juncos Hollinger Racing announced that ampm will serve as the primary sponsor for Conor Daly and the No. 76 Chevrolet for the '500' and multiple races throughout the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, with the partnership extending into 2026. The No. 76 will feature ampm's branding at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and additional events this season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Portland International Raceway.
Additionally, Team Penske unveiled Scott McLaughlin will drive the No. 3 Tire Rack Chevrolet during the June 1 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.
Kanaan Refresher Moved to Wednesday
Due to lingering rain, Tony Kanaan's Indy 500 refresher test has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. Wednesday. He will drive Kyle Larson's No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.
Kanaan, who last raced in the '500' in 2023, is readying to be a standby driver for Kyle Larson on Race Day. Larson is attempting the 'double' of racing in the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25. Kanaan will step in for Larson if weather delays the start in Indianapolis and Larson must leave for Charlotte for his full-time drive with Hendrick Motorsports.
Now serving as team principal for Arrow McLaren, Kanaan joked about his return to the driver's seat. His wife, Lauren, noted the change in his demeanor this morning, saying, 'I guess the race car driver is back.'
Following Kanaan's session, full-field practice runs from noon-6 p.m. ET, with coverage split between FS2 (noon-4 p.m.) and FS1 (4–6 p.m.).
Conquer Paralysis Event Set for May 23
Conquer Paralysis Now, a nonprofit founded by former INDYCAR SERIES driver and team owner Sam Schmidt, announced its Racing to Recovery Black & White Gala to celebrate its 25th anniversary will be Friday, May 23 at Indiana Roof Ballroom.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are still available here.
Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry, fronted by Chris Daughtry, will perform at the event.
Conquer Paralysis Now works to help fund research and treatment of spinal-cord injuries. Schmidt became a quadriplegic due to injuries suffered in an INDYCAR SERIES testing crash in January 2000.
Odds and Ends Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske was initially supposed to be naturalized as an American citizen on Opening Day of Indianapolis 500 practice in Pagoda Plaza at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, the law states he had to go through the process in his home state, North Carolina. Since he already went through the process, McLaughlin led the 34 people from around the world to become American citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance. Five of the top seven speeds on Tuesday were turned by former '500' winners: Will Power (2018 winner, first), Newgarden (2023, 2024 winner, second), Scott Dixon (2008 winner, fourth), Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021 winner, sixth), Rossi (2016 winner, seventh). Team Penske produced three of the top-five lap speeds on Tuesday, in addition to the top three trap speeds at the end of the front straightaway. Power (237.798), McLaughlin (237.711) and Newgarden (237.243) led Christian Rasmussen's No. 21 ECR Splenda Chevrolet (235.496) on that section timing chart. Kirkwood (219.497) was fastest in the non-tow report, followed by Newgarden (219.149), rookie Jacob Abel in the No. 51 Abel Construction Honda (218.884), Daly (218.786) and Rossi (218.736).
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