It’s deja vu all over again for Alex Palou as his quest to win four consecutive IndyCar titles kicks off on the right note.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver started fourth, but went on to lead 59 of 100 laps including the final 42, save for a pit cycle, on the way to the win 12.5 seconds in front of Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, who started from pole.
It was Palou’s 20th career win in 99 starts and second-straight at St. Petersburg. Eight of those wins came last season when he looked to be threatening A.J. Foyt’s 10-win season record. He has 18 races to go after it again this year.
“This team keeps on improving, keeps on making new changes, and they just keep on raising
the bar,” Palou after the race. “It’s pretty impressive. It’s a long season in front of us, but what a great way
to start the season.”
The season got off to an unfortunate start for a few fan favorites. Rookie Mick Schumacher was out on the first lap when he got caught up in a collision between Sting Ray Robb and Santino Ferrucci. Scott Dixon’s day ended on lap 39 when a wheel came and Will Power’s first race for Andretti Global was cut short when he hit the wall.
IndyCar heads next to Phoenix Raceway on March 7 for its first race at the track since 2018, with Josef Newgarden arriving as the defending race winner.
SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO THE GAS: AN AMERICAN CARS AND RACING PODCAST ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM
One Comment