As IndyCar's sharpest driver, Alex Palou looks to keep his hot streak going at Mid-Ohio
LEXINGTON − There's something about being in the zone in sports. When everything is clicking, there's no telling what heights you can go to.
You don't have to explain that to IndyCar Series driver Alex Palou at the moment. He's in prime form right now and on likely the best stretch of his racing career since moving over to America in 2020 from Super GT and the Super Formula Championships. So far this season through eight races in the 17-race schedule, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver has built a sizable 74-point lead in the NTT IndyCar Series championship standings. His 324 points are well ahead of teammate Marcus Ericsson's 250, who sits in second place.
Palou is in good company with his assertive 74-point gap at the halfway point of the season, that sits as the second-largest points lead all-time with nine races to go behind Dan Wheldon's 76-point edge in 2005. Wheldon carried that big advantage all the way to the series championship that season. Palou is looking to do the same this go-around.
So what's been the biggest attributing factor to Palou's rapid start midway through the season?
"Ahh...it's always tough to say, right, but I would say teamwork," said Palou. "We've been able to maximize those opportunities on the track and that's only because of teamwork. From home, it looks like it's only me driving the car but I actually have a great group behind me. With the mechanics changing tires, strategy calls and making great pit stops, I would say we've been the best. On top of that, we have a fast car which you need."
No stranger to winning the IndyCar Series championship − which he did in 2021 in his second season − Palou has not just been the leading driver in 2023 but also the sport's most consistent and unfluctuating one as well. He's currently the series leader in wins with three (GMR Grand Prix, Detroit, Road America), pole wins (2), top-five finishes (7), tied for top-10 finishes (8) with Ericsson, has the most races where he drove the fastest lap (3) and races where he led the most laps (2).
Placing top-five in seven of the eight races speaks volumes and shows first hand that Palou is in contention at every race. Really, his bad days are actually good days compared to other drivers.
Simply, there's no driver in IndyCar racing at a more premier level than Palou this season. Still, the fourth-year Spaniard has a difficult time pinpointing the reasons for his early-season success. Although, he did touch on how his qualifying times have put him in a better position to win races.
"It's very tough to say honestly," Palou said. "I would say just confidence and qualifying has helped us this year start more up front of races. It's made our races a bit easier starting up front than having to catch up. It is tough to say without seeing myself on the outside."
One could also point to the last race of last season, where Palou was victorious at Laguna Seca for his first and only win in 2022, as a momentum booster carried over into this year.
"A little bit," Palou said, who finished fifth overall in the IndyCar Series championship standings in 2022. "That weekend showed everybody we were capable of doing everything right. We didn't start the season as good as we wanted but we still finished in the top 10. That helped for sure."
Asked was he somewhat surprised by the results he's piled up and the feeling is mixed.
"Yes and no," Palou said. "I am surprised because it's not usual in IndyCar. I would say we knew if we were able to put everything together, we would get the results we've been getting. We knew with a great team and fast car we could do what we've been doing."
Of his three wins, Palou says his victories at the GMR Grand Prix in Indianapolis and Detroit Grand Prix in Detroit are the ones that stick out the most.
"We've had three wins and every win is different and special," he said. "I would say the Indy race in May. It was a road course and we were able to develop a big gap between who was in second place. Also in Detroit, because it was a completely different track. It was the bumpiest track ever and the street course, is pretty tough to start on pole and win the race. I was happy we survived that weekend because honestly, when there are so many tight turns, it's tough to finish the race. I would say those two are really special."
Racecar Livery and Mid-Ohio race
Aside from constantly being in the winners circle this season, Palou has been committed to advocating his car sponsor The American Legion's "Be the One" initiative.
The American Legion is a non-profit organization of U.S. war veterans that is made of many local posts around the United States, that is dedicated to providing assistance, guidance and military personnel to people who were involved in military service.
The "Be the One" campaign is geared towards Legion family members aiming to reduce the stigma around mental health issues among service members and veterans. The American Legion's main goal is to start the conversation and bring more attention to the Be the One veteran suicide prevention initiative on the first day of every month. For the majority of the races this season, Palou has had The American Legion livery on his No. 10 Honda car and hoping the message is being spread even more.
"I've been working with The American Legion since 2021. We've been growing our work together every year but this year it's been the best so far," Palou said. "In terms of spreading the message of the Be the One initiative, going to The American Legion post and meeting our veterans, it's been great. On top of that, having success on the track has led to gaining more exposure, which we wanted. It's been a great year for both of us and more than a racing sponsor for us."
With Palou winning three of the last four races, it has brought more notoriety to the Be the One cause and more visibility on his American Legion livery, just like he desired.
"100 percent," Palou said, on whether his race wins of late have been increasing the awareness. "Being a IndyCar driver we have a lot of TV time and access to a lot of fans obviously. Once you win that exposure just multiplies by a lot. Especially in the month of May, we had a lot of good exposure in a couple of races. Having success on the track helps you have success off the track as well."
Palou will be looking to keep spreading the word about the Be the One initiative but also keep his winning ways going at Mid-Ohio this Fourth of July weekend in the Honda Indy 200. Last year, Palou was just off the mark finishing second behind Scott McLaughlin.
"We were really, really close battling for the win. We just couldn't make it," Palou said, recalling last year's race. "We were really fast. We just couldn't make it. It's a great race track, and always very physical for the drivers and the races are super exciting. I remember we were really fast and that gives us a lot of confidence this weekend to improve one spot compared to last year."
With the Mid-Ohio course being one that looks congested and condensed, especially when the racecars are on top of one another, Palou highlighted the pitfalls the race course can issue.
"It's very tight and really fast, so as soon as you make a small mistake you can be in trouble," Palou added. "It's very physical, so you don't have a lot of time to breath. There's like a straight but it's not very long for what we are used to and then you need to hold your breath for a long time because of the fast cars."
The Honda Indy 200 will jumpstart the second half of the season and with a considerable points lead in the standings, Palou says he's not focus on the IndyCar Series title at the moment. Just trying to win his third race in the last four.
"We're just focusing on every weekend, not on the championship," he said. "We want to keep performing like we've been doing and keep the same mentality. Just focusing on getting the No. 10 Honda American Legion car on the victory lane on Sunday."
jsimpson@gannett.com
Twitter: @JamesSimpsonII
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: IndyCar Series leader Alex Palou chases first win at Honda Indy 200
