Alex Palou Eyes NASCAR Road Course After Indianapolis 500 Win

Alex Palou, a name that’s become almost synonymous with INDYCAR success, is making headlines again. With a fresh victory at the legendary Indianapolis 500 and a blazing start to the 2025 season, Palou’s skill on the track is hard to ignore.

But here’s the thing—he’s not just looking at INDYCAR. In a chat with Kevin Harvick, Palou dropped hints about maybe trying out NASCAR road and street courses. That little tidbit has racing fans buzzing with curiosity. Where’s he headed next?

Alex Palou’s Stellar Year in INDYCAR

The 2025 INDYCAR season is shaping up to be Palou’s playground. He’s already notched wins in four of the first five races.

His biggest moment? That win at the Indianapolis 500. It’s a race that’s tripped up even the greats, but Palou managed to conquer it.

He started in sixth place, which isn’t exactly a walk in the park. With just 14 laps to go, he made his move on Marcus Ericsson and took the lead.

After that, he just wouldn’t let go. Palou held his ground right up to the checkered flag. That win wasn’t just his first Indy 500—it put him firmly in the spotlight as one of racing’s top names.

Highlights of the Indianapolis 500

The Indy 500 is legendary, and Palou’s drive was something else. A few moments really stood out:

  • Starting Position: Palou kicked things off from sixth, showing he can fight from anywhere on the grid.
  • Decisive Overtake: With 14 laps left, he swooped past Marcus Ericsson and grabbed the lead.
  • Unyielding Defense: Once up front, Palou defended like a champ, mixing strategy and raw talent.
DISCOVER MORE  2025 Indy 500: Full Entry List of Drivers and Teams

Beyond INDYCAR: Palou’s NASCAR Aspirations

Palou’s got his eyes on more than just INDYCAR. On a recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, he admitted he’s thinking about trying NASCAR road and street courses.

He knows it’s a different beast compared to INDYCAR, but he sounded genuinely excited about the challenge. Who wouldn’t be at least a little curious?

Potential NASCAR Races for Palou

If Palou decides to make the jump, there are some interesting options. The 2025 NASCAR calendar has five road and street courses that could be a good fit:

  • Viva Mexico 250: June 15 brings an international twist to the schedule.
  • Chicago Street Course: July 6 offers a gritty, urban circuit with a mix of speed and brains.
  • Toyota/Save Mart 350: On July 13, this one’s all about technical driving and focus.
  • Go Bowling at The Glen: August 10 at Watkins Glen, a fan favorite for a reason.
  • Bank of America ROVAL 400: October 5 is a mashup of road and oval racing—a real test.

Palou’s Journey in Motorsport

Palou’s path in racing has been anything but boring. Before he started stacking up INDYCAR wins, he spent some time with McLaren’s Testing of Previous Cars program in 2022.

He never got to race in Formula 1, but you have to imagine that experience helped him grow. Now, with all these recent wins, he’s become a hot commodity in the racing world.

Celebrating Success Off the Track

After his Indy 500 win, Palou’s been making the rounds to soak it all in. He’s popped up at some pretty cool places:

  • Indiana Pacers Game: He showed up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, getting honored in front of the crowd.
  • New York City Celebration: He took his victory lap to NYC, adding to his growing fanbase.
  • First Pitch at Citi Field: On May 27, 2025, Palou threw the first pitch at a Mets game against the White Sox. Not a bad way to celebrate.
DISCOVER MORE  IndyCar's New Car Struggles: Lessons from F1's Challenges

Looking Ahead: The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

The INDYCAR season keeps rolling, and Palou’s not slowing down. Next up is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, set for Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Fans can catch it live on FOX and the FOX Sports app. With five wins already, is a sixth just around the corner?

What to Expect

The Detroit Grand Prix should be a wild ride, with Palou front and center. A few things could shake up the race:

  • Track Conditions: Detroit’s circuit is tough, and it might push Palou to adapt on the fly.
  • Competition: The field is stacked, so he’s got his work cut out for him.
  • Strategy: As always, how they play their cards could decide everything.

Conclusion

Alex Palou’s 2025 racing season? Wild, honestly. He snagged a huge win at the Indianapolis 500, and now he might even dip his toes into NASCAR.

Fans can’t really look away right now. With the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix coming up, everyone seems to be holding their breath, waiting to see what he’ll pull off next.

If you want the nitty-gritty on what Palou’s been saying lately or what he might do in the future, check out the full article on Fox Sports.

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT