Before the IndyCar Series season finale, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, ended on Sunday in Southern California, Alex Palou was already a first-time champion.
The 24-year-old Chip Ganassi Racing driver didn’t need to win the last race of the season to claim his championship; he just needed an 11th-place finish or better to edge out the two other title contenders, Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward. But late in the race and after O’Ward was knocked out of contention after being rear-ended, Palou clinched his first title on his way to a fourth-place finish.
In just his second IndyCar season, Palou became the first Spaniard to win the championship, and he’s the seventh-youngest champ and the first younger than 25 years old since his now-teammate Scott Dixon won back in 2003.
Started the season as a first-time winner, ended the season a champion.
Well done, @AlexPalou.
#INDYCAR // @CGRTeams pic.twitter.com/wEyDIIqrai— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) September 27, 2021
For The Win spoke with Palou on Wednesday about his championship race, why he’s happy he didn’t know he won before the race ended and his famous celebratory meal, fried chicken.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
