Palou Eyes History at Phoenix After Dominant St. Pete Win
PHOENIX, AZ – Alex Palou is rolling into this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Phoenix Raceway with momentum, fresh off a commanding victory at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The four-time series champion is poised to make his 100th career start in Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250 (3 p.m. ET, FOX) and already boasts an impressive win rate – securing 20 victories in his first 99 races. This puts him ahead of active drivers like Scott Dixon, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden, who all had fewer wins at their 100th start. Palou’s 20th win ties him with Earl Cooper on the all-time list, and he’s within striking distance of several legendary names in INDYCAR history. While Palou is new to Phoenix’s 1-mile oval, most of the field shares that experience, as this marks the series’ first race there since 2018. The weekend kicks off with practice sessions on Friday, airing on FS2, leading up to Saturday’s 250-mile race, part of a unique “Desert Double” event alongside the NASCAR Cup Series.
Palou Poised to Make History at Phoenix, Cementing INDYCAR Dominance
Alex Palou is gearing up for a potentially historic weekend at Phoenix Raceway, entering Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250 with momentum from a commanding victory at St. Petersburg. The four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion is not only on a winning streak but is too rapidly ascending the ranks of INDYCAR’s all-time greats.
A Century of Wins: Palou’s Rising Legacy
This weekend marks Palou’s 100th series start, a milestone he’ll reach with an impressive 20 career victories. Remarkably, this achievement secures a win rate of at least 20 percent – a feat unmatched by any other active driver in the series. Scott Dixon, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden all boast more overall wins, but none reached their 100th start with Palou’s level of success.
Did you know? Palou’s 20th victory places him alongside Earl Cooper, whose last win occurred exactly 100 years ago, highlighting the enduring legacy of INDYCAR racing.
Palou’s continued success could see him quickly climb the all-time win charts. Just two more victories would tie him with Tony Bettenhausen and Emerson Fittipaldi. Four more would set him alongside Ralph DePalma and Bobby Rahal, while five more would equal Gordon Johncock’s career total. Matching Johnny Rutherford’s career is within reach with just seven additional wins.
Phoenix Challenge: A Return to the Oval
The Good Ranchers 250 presents a unique challenge as Palou makes his debut on Phoenix’s one-mile oval. Though, many drivers are in the same position, as this is the first series race at the track since 2018. Scott Dixon is the most experienced oval racer in the field, with six previous starts at Phoenix, including a win in 2016 and a second-place finish in 2004.
Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Alexander Rossi, and Graham Rahal also have experience at Phoenix, with Newgarden securing a victory in 2018. These seasoned veterans will undoubtedly provide a benchmark for the rest of the field.
Oval Expertise: Palou’s Recent Success
Palou has demonstrated a strong aptitude for oval racing, winning two of the six oval races on the 2025 schedule. Pato O’Ward, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Rasmussen, and Newgarden each secured one oval win last season, showcasing the competitive depth within the series.
Pro Tip: Strategic tire management will be crucial at Phoenix, especially with the high-grip surface and potential for tire wear. Teams will need to carefully balance speed, and durability.
Desert Double: A Unique Weekend of Racing
This weekend’s event is part of a rare doubleheader with the NASCAR Cup Series, dubbed the “Desert Double.” The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will share the weekend with NASCAR, attracting a broader audience and creating a unique atmosphere for racing fans.
Weekend Schedule and Coverage
The action kicks off on Friday with three practice sessions, all airing on FS2. Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, followed by a final practice session at 4:30 p.m. ET. Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250 will be 250 miles long and broadcast live on FOX, FOX One, and the FOX Sports app, as well as on INDYCAR Radio.
FAQ
Q: How many wins does Alex Palou have?
A: He currently has 20 career wins.
Q: What is unique about this weekend’s race?
A: It’s part of a “Desert Double” with the NASCAR Cup Series.
Q: Has Palou raced at Phoenix before?
A: No, this will be his first career start on the Phoenix oval.
What are your predictions for the race? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to check back for more INDYCAR coverage throughout the season.