Alex Palou decided to make his move around Marcus Ericsson with 14 laps to go and held off the driver to win the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon.
It was Palou’s first Indy 500, and he is the first Spaniard to win the race.

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana: Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou (10) wears a wreath as he celebrates in the winner’s circle after winning the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)
Palou started the race in sixth position on the second row on the outside of Scott Dixon and next Felix Rosenqvist. He needed to work hard to get to the front as persistent droplets of rain and several caution flags came out, which could have halted his momentum at any time.
As the race came down to the end, he got his opportunity to move around Ericsson. He had some lap traffic in front of him but they didn’t appear to hinder Palou’s ability to win at all. For Palou, it was jubilation down the frontstretch with the anticipation of kissing the bricks and some ice cold milk to cool him off after the grueling event.
Palou may have had some luck on his side, as well.

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou (10) of Spain celebrates with his family in the winner’s circle after winning the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou (10) of Spain celebrates winning the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana: Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou (10) of Spain races during the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)