Alex Palou Tops Race-Trim Practice as Focus Shifts to Indy 500 Race Day
After two days of heart-pounding qualifying runs, drivers returned to traffic-heavy conditions on Monday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — and it was Alex Palou who once again proved he’s in control of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
The three-time series champion posted the fastest lap of the day, clocking in at 226.765 mph in his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda during the final full-field practice before Carb Day. With drivers running in large packs to simulate race conditions, Palou’s performance reaffirmed his status as one of the top contenders heading into Sunday’s 109th Indianapolis 500.
“A great day for the No. 10 DHL Honda,” said Palou. “Back to traffic running, and the car felt really good. We ended up P1. It doesn’t mean much, but you always take a P1 in any session at the Speedway.”
Though he’ll line up sixth on the grid this Sunday, Palou made it clear that speed alone won’t win the 500 — it’s about comfort and control in traffic, and that’s exactly what he showcased.
Legends Lurk Behind the Front-Runners
Veteran greatness wasn’t far behind. Helio Castroneves, aiming for an unprecedented fifth Indy 500 victory, ended the session second at 226.441 mph in the No. 06 Cliffs Honda. Despite starting 22nd, the 49-year-old showed race pace that could make him a serious threat come Sunday.
Not far behind was Takuma Sato, another two-time winner, clocking in third at 226.087 mph for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. At age 48, Sato continues to prove that experience counts when it comes to navigating the Speedway.
If either Castroneves or Sato takes the checkered flag this weekend, they would become the oldest winner in Indy 500 history.
DRR Delivers in Race Setup
The day also offered a boost to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, with both of its drivers cracking the top five in race-trim speeds. Jack Harvey, starting 26th, surprised many by going fourth fastest at 226.048 mph, making him the quickest Chevrolet-powered car on Monday. His teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 winner, wasn’t far behind in fifth at 225.969 mph.
A Learning Curve for the Rookie Pole-Sitter
While Monday was all about dialing in traffic pace, the biggest story from qualifying — Robert Shwartzman — had a quieter day. The rookie sensation, who stunned the field with pole position in his first-ever oval event, ranked 26th fastest at 222.561 mph. For Shwartzman, the day was less about outright speed and more about adapting to the complex demands of racing in dirty air.
Rasmussen Brushes the Wall in Minor Incident
The only incident of the session occurred just 12 minutes in, when Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing made light contact with the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier. His car spun into the grass and tapped the inside wall, suffering minor damage. Thankfully, Rasmussen was uninjured and is expected to continue preparations for Race Day.
What’s Next: Carb Day and the Final Tune-Up
The next — and final — on-track session before the big race is Miller Lite Carb Day this Friday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Teams will use this two-hour practice window to fine-tune their cars for Race Day conditions, followed by the fan-favorite Pit Stop Challenge later in the afternoon.
Then, it’s on to the main event:
The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500
– Sunday, May 25
– 10 a.m. ET
– Live on FOX, FOX Deportes, and the FOX Sports app
– INDYCAR Radio Network
With just days to go until the green flag drops, Monday’s session made one thing clear: Alex Palou is not slowing down — and the veterans aren’t backing off either. It’s going to be an epic showdown at the Brickyard.
written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment