INDYCAR: PALOU STRIKES AGAIN ON MONDAY IN NASHVILLE
- Cavalieri Garage Magazine
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Alex Palou strengthened his grip on the NTT IndyCar Series championship by winning the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville, taking full advantage of a race filled with strategy swings and caution periods. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver captured the 24th victory of his IndyCar career and his fifth win of the season, further extending his lead in the standings.
The race, postponed by one day because of rain and shortened due to extreme heat, began with an intense battle for the lead between Josef Newgarden and pole sitter Kyle Kirkwood, who traded blows during the opening laps.
Everything changed after Caio Collet's heavy crash triggered the first caution of the afternoon. David Malukas made the bold strategic call of the race, staying on track while most of the field headed to pit lane. The decision vaulted the Team Penske driver into the lead, where he successfully held off Scott McLaughlin, Kirkwood, and Palou despite running on significantly older tires.
Malukas remained in control through the opening pit sequence, but the complexion of the race shifted again on Lap 123 when contact between Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossi brought out another caution.
That proved to be the defining moment of the race for Palou. The Spaniard timed his pit stop perfectly, entering pit lane just before the Safety Car was deployed and emerging as the new race leader once the field cycled through the stops.
Another caution, caused by mechanical trouble for Dennis Hauger, erased the gaps once again, but the final yellow-flag pit sequence also worked in Ganassi's favor, allowing Palou to maintain the lead ahead of Josef Newgarden.
In the closing laps, Palou successfully fended off a relentless charge from all three Team Penske Chevrolets. Newgarden, Malukas, and Scott McLaughlin closed in, while the championship leader relied on an alternate strategy featuring the harder tire compound. Despite the pressure, Palou remained flawless, never allowing his rivals a realistic opportunity to attack.
Newgarden finished second ahead of Malukas and McLaughlin, completing a strong day for Team Penske. Felix Rosenqvist claimed fifth, followed by Marcus Ericsson, Pato O'Ward, David Schumacher, Kyffin Simpson, and pole winner Kyle Kirkwood, whose race unraveled after the late caution periods.
Palou's latest victory further cements his status as the championship favorite, extending his advantage before the series heads into a short break. The NTT IndyCar Series will return to action in early August at Portland International Raceway in Oregon.
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