Alex Palou Wins 109th Indianapolis 500, Honored at Victory Banquet

The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 was nothing short of spectacular. High-speed drama, multiple caution flags, and a wild final-lap crash sealed the victory for Alex Palou.

The race took place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Afterward, Palou and the other participants gathered at a downtown victory banquet at the JW Marriott, where they were honored.

This year’s event featured record-breaking payouts. A series of penalties added even more intrigue to an already storied race.

Alex Palou’s Triumphant Victory

Alex Palou clinched his win under caution after that dramatic last-lap crash. That marked his fifth win in just six IndyCar races this season.

Palou led for 14 laps, showing off his skill and grit under tough conditions. “I cannot believe it. What an amazing day. What an amazing race,” Palou said, clearly still in awe of the challenges he overcame, especially while stuck back in third or fourth place.

Record-Breaking Purse

Officials from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR reported a total purse of $20,283,000 this year. That’s a record for the fourth straight year.

Palou alone walked away with $3.8 million—the biggest single payout in Indy 500 history. The average payout for NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers reached $596,500, up from last year’s $543,000.

Honoring the Participants

The victory banquet wasn’t just about Palou’s win. It was also a chance to shine a light on everyone who competed.

Robert Shwartzman, driving for Prema Racing, took home Rookie of the Year honors and the pole position. He earned a $50,000 bonus, bringing his total to $327,300.

“The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and winning this race makes history in more ways than one,” said J. Douglas Boles, president of INDYCAR and IMS.

Penalties and Controversies

Drama didn’t end at the checkered flag. Marcus Ericsson, who had finished second, lost his placement after officials discovered he’d added “enhanced aerodynamic efficiency” to his car.

Kyle Kirkwood from Andretti and Callum Illot from Prema faced penalties as well. Officials announced these decisions Monday afternoon, just hours before the banquet.

The Banquet and Red Carpet Special

The JW Marriott hosted a glitzy banquet, complete with a red carpet special that aired on FOX59 at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The event buzzed with excitement, celebrating the drivers’ achievements and the race’s wild moments.

Fans got an inside look at the celebrations. Interviews and behind-the-scenes moments made the red carpet special a real treat for Indy 500 enthusiasts.

Grandstand Sellout and Intense Action

This year’s Indianapolis 500 drew a sellout grandstand crowd, which cranked up the atmosphere to another level. The Month of May delivered some of the most intense on-track action in recent memory.

Alex Palou can now add “Indianapolis 500 winner” to his growing list of achievements. And he takes home the largest purse in race history—pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Looking Ahead

The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is over, and now everyone’s attention turns to the rest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Palou’s performance was impressive, and the record-breaking purse raised the stakes for future races.

Fans and participants will definitely keep a close eye on what happens next. There’s a sense of anticipation—who knows what twists the season will bring?

Check out the full article on FOX59 [here](https://fox59.com/news/indy-500-sports/palou-drivers-to-be-honored-during-109th-running-of-the-indianapolis-500-victory-banquet/).