ADVENT CALENDAR DOOR 19 – A Champion’s Climb: Alex Palou’s 19 IndyCar Victories
Alex Palou’s rise through the ranks of IndyCar has been nothing short of remarkable. From his first victory as a rising star to setting the tone as one of the most consistent winners of his generation, Palou embodies excellence on all types of circuits.
As we reach Day 19 of our Advent calendar, there is no better way to celebrate than by revisiting each of the 19 victories that define his career and shaped the modern era of the NTT IndyCar Series.
2021 was his Breakout Season
Palou’s first career win came at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park in April 2021, just his second season in the championship.
In that race, he led a majority of laps and showed immediately that his blend of ruthless pace and calm strategy was more than promising, it was championship material.
Later that season, Palou struck again at Road America, using smart tire management to get the edge where others struggled.
And before the 2021 campaign concluded, he secured a third victory at the Grand Prix of Portland, where he led from pole and kept challengers at bay. Those three wins propelled him to the 2021 IndyCar championship, the first of his career.
In 2022, Palou added another win at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. That victory was crucial in closing out a season of ups and downs and demonstrated his ability to win even when the championship fight was not his main focus.
Back at the Front
The 2023 season was a breakout year, showcasing Palou at his very best. He opened that campaign with a victory at the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis road course, then backed it up with a win in the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle, a tough, technical street circuit known for unpredictable outcomes.
Palou’s mastery was clear when he crossed the line ahead of the field in both races, showing incredible balance between aggression and patience.
Palou’s dominance continued on the traditional fast venues of American road courses, with wins at the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America and the Honda Indy 200 at Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course.
He was equally strong at the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland, taking command on a track that rewards precision and consistency. These victories were the backbone of his 2023 championship run, where his overall pace and reliability kept him consistently in contention race after race.
Building on that momentum, Palou carried his speed into 2024, adding victories at the Sonsio Grand Prix (IMS Road Course) and the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (Laguna Seca).
Both wins came from commanding performances that reaffirmed his place at the top of the IndyCar hierarchy and helped solidify his second consecutive title.
The 2025 season was arguably Palou’s most spectacular yet. He opened the year with a win at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a street circuit event where track position and split‑second timing are critical, and he delivered both with precision.
Palou followed that with a victory at The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix, showcasing his adaptability at a newer venue that challenges traditional IndyCar setups.
Next came the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, where Palou again showed his mastery on permanent road courses, before taking yet another win at the Sonsio Grand Prix in May, showing an incredible command of tactical restarts and pit strategy.
The crown jewel of his career arrived at the 109th Indianapolis 500. On May 25, 2025, Palou etched his name into motorsport history by becoming the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500, holding off elite competition in a race widely regarded as the pinnacle of open‑wheel achievement. That evening he stood in victory lane, victorious not only in one of the sport’s toughest tests but also having led a decisive portion of the classic event.
Palou’s 2025 campaign remained red‑hot with wins at the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, where he showcased flawless rhythm and pace over a grueling 55 laps.
Shortly after, he took the checkered flag at the Hy‑Vee IndyCar Race Weekend, dominating on short ovals, territory that had historically been a challenge for many road course specialists.
Finally, his 19th victory came at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey on July 27, 2025.
There, Palou led an overwhelming majority of the race, 84 out of 95 laps, demonstrating that his 2025 campaign was both dominant and unrelenting, a season that not only brought him another championship but also lifted him into a rare echelon of motorsport excellence.
A Legacy in the Making
Álex Palou’s 19 career victories are more than just milestones, they mark the ascent of a driver who has already reshaped IndyCar’s modern era, yet still has so much more ahead.
From his early days as a promising rookie to becoming a multiple-time champion, Palou has proven that raw speed, sharp strategy, and unwavering composure are a winning formula across every type of circuit, from tight street courses to legendary ovals like Indianapolis.
But this is only the beginning.
At just 28 years old, Palou stands at the peak of his powers with many seasons still to come. As we look back on these 19 wins for Day 19 of our Advent calendar, we’re not just celebrating past triumphs, we’re witnessing the foundation of a career that could define a generation.
The laps, the victories, the titles, they’re only part of a much larger story that’s still being written.
The best may still be ahead.
written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
