Alex Palou Goes Back to Back at the Indy Road Course, Poised for Big Month of May

"That's the way to kick off the Month of May!" Palou said over the radio as he crossed the finish line for his second Indy Road Course win in a row. After starting on the pole of the Sonsio Grand Prix, Palou locked up going into the first turn on the first lap.

After the early mistake, Palou straightened up to lead almost half of the race, dominating his first win of the 2024 season, outside of non-points paying Themal Challenge.

"a 100 percent," Palou said of his win being a team win, "I did a mistake on that start and lost the first position that we fought so hard for in qualifying. Everybody, the crew, the engineers, and the mechanics, did a great job in the pits to give me that lead."

Will Power finished 6.611 seconds back from Palou, holding off Christian Lundgaard, who collected his season's first podium.

While Palou's first win of the season is a big one, it means more when you remember what comes next. Drivers and teams are just three days away from starting practice for the 108th running of the Indy 500.

"It helps, it always helps," Palou said on the momentum going into the Indy 500, "A win helps a lot, especially if it's a pole and a win and then the way that we won. We're going to celebrate for sure but will switch this afternoon to the 'big one.'"

Last year after his win at the Indy Road Course last year, Palou was propelled towards Indy 500 success; many thought he would be the third driver to 'Sweep' the Month of May after Will Power in 2018 and Simon Pagenaud in 2019. Unfortunately, a poor pit stop spoiled his chances, and Palou finished fourth.

Palou rebounded to sweep June with a victory in the Grand Prix of Detroit and Grand Prix of Road America. This midseason success cemented Palou as the champion favorite on way to his second Indycar Championship.

With this win, Palou takes over the championship lead from Colton Herta. The Andretti Global driver finished seventh after a fueling failure stopped him from completing a flying lap during Friday's qualifying. Herta improved 17 positions from his 24th-place starting spot.

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