Why P2 at Long Beach Still Feels Like a Win for Alex Palou

For most drivers, missing out on a third straight victory would be a bitter pill to swallow. But Alex Palou isn’t like most drivers. After finishing second at the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach — narrowly missing out on his third win in as many races — the defending series champion was anything but disappointed.

“I’m not disappointed,” Palou said with a smile. “I’m super happy to be here.”

It was another strong showing for the Chip Ganassi Racing star, who started third and finished second behind Kyle Kirkwood. The two-time IndyCar champion ran a clean race and remained in contention throughout, even attempting a strategic undercut in the final pit cycle to leapfrog Kirkwood for the win.

But a slight hiccup — an oversteer moment exiting Turn 5 on cold tires — cost him the momentum he needed.

“I had a big oversteer out of five and couldn’t really go on power to get a good exit,” he explained.

Still, Palou showed no signs of frustration. With another podium under his belt and the broader picture in mind, he emphasized the strength of the start to his 2025 campaign. “Obviously it’s disappointing [not to win], but it’s amazing to be the only one with that chance,” he said, referring to the rare opportunity to begin a season with three consecutive victories.

The result also marked Palou’s best-ever finish at Long Beach, a circuit that has historically posed challenges for him. “We always struggled a bit here, so to finish second is a big step forward,” he added.

In true Palou fashion, the takeaway wasn’t about what he missed — it was about what he gained: momentum, points, and confidence. And in a series where consistency wins championships, P2 can sometimes be just as valuable as P1.

“It was a great weekend. We had a really fast car. We maximized what we had,” Palou concluded.