Alex Palou Triumphs at Indianapolis 500 as Josef Newgarden’s Dream Ends

Alex Palou delivered a landmark performance by claiming his first ever Indianapolis 500 win, completing a run that had eluded him in previous years. The Spanish driver took the checkered flag under caution on May 25, 2025, after a fiercely contested final stretch that saw bold strategy plays and decisive moves at the front.

The race’s outcome was settled when Palou executed a daring pass on Marcus Ericsson into Turn 1 with just 14 laps remaining, seizing the lead and holding on as a late caution froze the field. Palou, already a three-time IndyCar champion, achieved this victory without having previously won on an oval, adding to the achievement’s significance.

Starting in the thick of the pack as inclement weather delayed the green flag, Palou quickly worked his way inside the top ten by the Lap 19 caution caused by more rain. He was sixth at that point, trailing experienced names like Takuma Sato and Alexander Rossi.

A series of yellow flags in the first half kept the leaders close, but Palou managed his car and pit strategy to stay in contention. By Lap 50, he had advanced to fourth as the race reached its quarter mark.

Critical moments arrived after Sato lost time in the pits and Ericsson, the 2022 winner, stretched his fuel and tire stint, sparking a game of leapfrog among those vying for the net lead. Late in the race, Palou made his final stop on Lap 168, rejoining just behind Ericsson, who gambled by staying out for extra laps.

Traffic played a role, and when Ericsson exited the pits seven laps later, a determined Palou found a gap and surged past in arguably the most important overtake of his career. From then on, Palou proved impossible to catch, as a caution flew on the final lap, ending any late challenges and cementing his place as the 76th driver to win the Indianapolis 500.

With this triumph, he became the first driver from Spain and the first driver for Chip Ganassi Racing to win since Ericsson’s own victory three years before. Josef Newgarden’s much-anticipated bid for three consecutive Indy 500 victories was stymied by a fuel pressure issue on Lap 135.

Starting 32nd in the 33-car field, Newgarden charged into the top ten on pace alone before technical trouble ended his hopes. His exit was a disappointment for fans and left Penske with just one finisher, as Will Power came home 19th and Scott McLaughlin crashed before the opening lap was complete. Team Penske parts may have factored into their struggles this year.

Elsewhere, McLaren driver Pato O’Ward finished fourth, unable to deliver a historic double for the McLaren name on a day when Lando Norris won the Monaco Grand Prix for the F1 side. No team has managed wins in both events on the same day. McLaren’s dual effort was noteworthy given the challenges this season, highlighted in recent reports on Kanaan and McLaren’s Indy 500 performance. For more on the history of motorsport achievements, check out the FIA’s official records.

David Malukas put AJ Foyt Racing in third as the first Chevrolet to the line, while notable four-time winner Helio Castroneves ended up in 13th place. Colton Herta and other big names, including Kyle Larson fresh from NASCAR, failed to feature after Larson’s own crash just past halfway collected two other cars.

The 2025 race featured numerous cautions, adding to the unpredictability and testing each team’s approach to fuel, tire management, and traffic. Palou’s path to victory included five wins from the six opening races this year, a pace that has set him as the clear championship favorite with over half a season ahead.

For Marcus Ericsson, second place was bittersweet after leading late, while Sato’s day unraveled early thanks to a costly pit stop error. The Indianapolis 500 remains a contest where the smallest details and split-second decisions can re-write destinies. Learn more about race strategy from the SAE International motorsports resources.

Palou’s racecraft and patience on the biggest stage now place him among greats of the sport, with his win also marking a new chapter for international drivers in IndyCar history. As the field reset and recalibrated for the rest of the year, this edition will be remembered for letdowns, breakthroughs, and a headline-grabbing victory that completed Palou’s rise to the top tier of global motorsport.