For the fourth straight season, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou has secured the NTT IndyCar Series championship, joining a select group of drivers who have achieved such a streak. The 29‑year‑old Spaniard told OutKick over Zoom that he makes a point to savor each victory, knowing that a new champion will eventually take the seat.
Appreciating the moment
“Every single day, man, like, almost every single day, I kind of need to pinch myself and be like, ‘It’s incredible to be in this position,'” Palou said. “I never thought in my entire life that I would have an opportunity like this. I’m just trying to enjoy as much as I can because I know at some point it’s going to end, right? And there’s going to be someone else sitting in this seat, in this chair, and I just want to make sure I take it all in.”
Team culture fuels the run
Palou credited the “fire” at Chip Ganassi Racing for much of the team’s sustained success. The organization has amassed 18 championships, and many of the same crew members have been present for each title. “Although they have already won 18 championships, there are people that are in my car who have been there for each one of those 18 championships, and they still work as much as they can to make sure that we can continue to battle and fight for the championship,” he explained.
Roster changes on the horizon
Long‑time teammate Scott Dixon will depart for Arrow McLaren in 2027 after 25 years with CGR. While the No. 9 driver has yet to be announced, Palou expects his role on the team to remain largely unchanged. “I don’t think it’s going to change much, honestly. The way we work at Chip Ganassi Racing stays the same,” he said. “There’s not a lead driver that kind of manages a bit more than everybody else or has more say.”
Palou recalled his first season alongside Dixon and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, noting that the team treated him as an equal voice in car preparation. “They treated me like another one like them. I had the same input as they did, and I think nowadays it works the same way with Kyffin… whoever is fastest at practice, that’s the leader of the team that day,” he added.
Looking ahead: new chassis and future races
The series is preparing to debut its first new chassis in more than a decade, the Dallara IR‑28. Palou tested the prototype at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August and will conduct a shakedown on the iconic oval on Thursday. “It was incredible. I would love to race it next year instead of in ’28, but honestly, I think everyone at IndyCar and both engine manufacturers, Honda and Chevrolet, have done incredible work on developing this new car. We had like almost zero issues,” he said.
He emphasized that the car still has over a year of development before its race debut in 2028. “If the car was on track with the other IndyCars now, that car would win the race by far,” Palou explained, expressing confidence that the series will continue to grow in competitiveness and fan appeal.
IndyCar’s rising profile
Palou highlighted the recent Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., calling it a “big win for IndyCar” and rating the event a “12 out of 10” for its overall impact. He believes the series is in a strong position and will only improve as new technology and marquee events attract broader audiences.
As Palou looks toward future championships, his focus remains on gratitude, teamwork, and the excitement of racing innovation.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
