Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi) won his second IndyCar title this Sunday (2021 and 2023) after achieving his fifth victory of the season, in Portland, leaving his partner, New Zealander Scott Dixon, who finished third in the race, without options.
A third place served the Spanish to return to reign in the category. From the first corners he managed to be in those leading positions and he knew how to solve with great talent the different problems that he was encountering, proving to be the fittest driver of the moment and fair champion.
"It's what we wanted, it's been a fantastic weekend. We've raced like we've done all season. I'm super proud of the team, we miss you Barry," Palou celebrated as he got out of his car, remembering Barry Wanser, the person in charge of the strategy for the Spanish pilot this year.
"I love being an IndyCar champion, it's like a dream. I can't thank you enough. The car is fast, whatever we did we were going to be in a good position. The strategy and pit stops were perfect," he praised. a euphoric Palou the work of his team and the quality of his car.
Palou thus becomes the sixth driver in IndyCar history with multiple championships along with, among others, Dixon himself, who won it six times. He is the fifteenth IndyCar number for the Chip Ganassi team and since 2009 they have not managed to have two drivers at the top of the fight for the title.
Indeed, the head of the team, Chip Ganassi himself, gave the great news after finishing the race, ensuring Palou's future with them: "Palou will be in our car next year, for sure."
Scott Dixon also had words of praise for Palou: "I want to congratulate Alex, I think he did everything right, he's a great competitor. It's fantastic to work with him," said the New Zealander.
Palou made an excellent start, moving up to third behind Rahal and McLaughlin, and more importantly, beating Scott Dixon, his only rival for the title, early on.
On lap number 22, Palou also led the race taking advantage of Rahal and McLaughlin entering the pits, which gave him one more point to add to the championship. The Spaniard visited his mechanics for the first time in lap 31, after showing in the lead that he was much faster than Dixon.
Chip Ganassi's strategy with the Spaniard was excellent, executing a brilliant overcut by Palou that allowed him to leave ahead of the leaders, Dixon, and only behind Malukas. His chances of winning in Portland multiplied, with Dixon more than seven seconds behind, and returning to the lead with the American's passage through the pits.
At the halfway point of the race (lap 48), Palou was forced to slow down because he caught up with several laps, Dixon cut back and hit him. It was time to pit again after 17 laps on those tyres, giving up first place to his rival.
That combination was profitable for Palou, who made the podium did not depend on whether Dixon won. But no matter how specialist the New Zealander is in saving fuel, a visit to the mechanics in 60 was inevitable, and once again the Spaniard returned to first position.
The distance in the lead, reaching two thirds of the race, increased, even exceeding ten seconds. For Palou, all that remained was to drive without errors and wait for the checkered flag to celebrate a double joy: the grand prix and the title.
The suspense was present after Palou stopped on lap 80, he joined with cold tires, found traffic and lost positions, he was even close to being touched by a rival.
Then came chaos in the Chip Ganassi pits, with Armstrong losing a wheel near Dixon's pit just as the New Zealander came in to change tires.
The Argentine Agustín Canapino (Juncos Hollinger) had an accident with 26 laps to go, the Argentine caused a new yellow flag that regrouped everyone with Palou, Rosenqvist and Dixon in that order leading the race.
It was when Palou brought out his best version, taking a triumphant walk in the final laps, with Rosenqvist behind him acting as a stopper for Dixon. The Portland circuit once again conveyed good memories to him, there he also won the race in 2021 in a victory that was key to achieving that title a few weeks later.
"Come on guys, oh my God!" Palou said, raising his arms as he crossed the finish line with the checkered flag. A historic day, because in the last 17 seasons the champion was always decided in the last race. It breaks like this another record for the Spanish pilot.
