Alex Palou Eyes NASCAR Road Race After Indy 500 Triumph

Alex Palou, the 28-year-old sensation in the NTT IndyCar Series, is having a dream season. With five wins in the first six races and his first career victory at the prestigious Indianapolis 500, Palou is on track to secure his fourth championship.

As he continues to dominate IndyCar, Palou is also eyeing new opportunities beyond his full-time duties with Chip Ganassi Racing. While he’s ruled out a move to Formula One, Palou has started talking about NASCAR—specifically, running on road or street courses.

This possibility opens up new avenues for Palou and adds another layer to his already impressive career. It’s not every day you see someone at the top of their game looking for fresh challenges.

Alex Palou’s Stellar Season in the NTT IndyCar Series

Palou’s 2023 season in the NTT IndyCar Series has been, honestly, wild. With five wins in the opening six races, he’s set a pace that’s left most folks trailing in the dust.

His recent win at the Indianapolis 500, one of racing’s biggest stages, just cements his status as a top-tier driver. At only 28, Palou’s already a three-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and looks poised for a fourth.

This kind of success doesn’t happen by accident. His skill, grit, and the backing from Chip Ganassi Racing have played a huge part in his dominance.

From Formula One Aspirations to NASCAR Dreams

A few years back, Palou had his sights set on Formula One. But a public contract dispute between Chip Ganassi Racing and McLaren during the 2022 season dashed those hopes.

In a recent chat with the Indy Star, Palou admitted he’s moved on from the F1 dream. He actually prefers the camaraderie and fun in the NTT IndyCar Series, saying F1 just doesn’t have the same vibe.

Why NASCAR?

Formula One’s off the table, but NASCAR? That’s a different story. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour Podcast, Palou talked about wanting to try a NASCAR road or street race.

He knows racing full-time NASCAR drivers on ovals would be tough. Still, he’s eager to see how his skills stack up on a different kind of track.

This interest is especially interesting given his current team owner, Chip Ganassi, used to own a NASCAR Cup Series team. Ganassi sold everything to Justin Marks and Trackhouse Racing a few years back.

Now, Trackhouse Racing fields a part-time No. 91 car—PROJECT91—which lets world-class drivers try out the NASCAR Cup Series for one-off races. If Palou’s serious about NASCAR, this might be his way in.

The Path to NASCAR: PROJECT91

Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 could be Palou’s ticket to NASCAR. The program gives world-class drivers a chance to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series without committing full-time.

Palou could get a shot at a road or street course, where he thinks he’d actually have a fighting chance. PROJECT91 has already turned heads for bringing international talent into NASCAR.

If Palou joins PROJECT91, it’d be a big move for him and a fascinating twist for NASCAR fans. It’s not every season you see a top IndyCar champ jump into a stock car.

What It Means for NASCAR

Having a driver like Palou in NASCAR, even just part-time, would bring a jolt of excitement. Road and street course events could get a lot more interesting with him in the mix.

Palou’s presence would highlight just how tough and versatile top-level motorsport really is. NASCAR’s been looking to expand its global appeal, and attracting drivers like Palou fits right into that strategy.

It’s also a chance for NASCAR to show off its unique racing style to new fans. Who knows what kind of buzz that could create?

Looking Ahead: Palou’s Future in Motorsport

As Palou keeps crushing it in IndyCar, his interest in NASCAR makes his career even more intriguing. Whether he actually jumps over or sticks with IndyCar, his future in racing looks ridiculously bright.

Fans have got to be excited about the possibility of seeing Palou in different racing series. It just shows how ambitious and versatile he is as a driver.

Conclusion

Alex Palou seems pretty interested in NASCAR, especially when it comes to road and street courses. That’s honestly pretty exciting for motorsport fans who love seeing drivers try something new.

He’s been dominating the NTT IndyCar Series lately. The idea of him showing up in NASCAR? It adds a whole new twist to his career.

Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 might open the door for Palou to race against some of NASCAR’s best. Imagine that—Palou mixing it up with a fresh set of rivals.

Right now, fans can just enjoy watching Palou keep racking up wins in IndyCar. Who knows what’s next for this guy? The future looks pretty interesting.

If you’re curious about more details on Palou’s NASCAR interest or want a deeper dive into his IndyCar season, check out the full article here.