Indianapolis 500 champion Alex Palou looks to keep rolling in Detroit

DETROIT - Despite a lucrative offer of a five-week, all-expenses-paid vacation from Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, 2025 Indianapolis 500 Champion Alex Palou is back in the car this weekend, racing for another win.




"It was a tempting offer, but I'll take it only next week, for a week, if I can do it," Palou joked in an exclusive interview with FOX59/CBS4 after initial practice at the Detroit Grand Prix. 




It's been less than a week since the three-time IndyCar Series champion won his first Indianapolis 500, and a whirlwind week at that as the celebrations continue. His duties as the newest 500 champion have included photograph sessions, interviews, and appearances in Indianapolis and New York City, before jumping on a jet to Detroit for the seventh of 17 races on the IndyCar schedule.




"I've been, like, super busy, so I don't think I had time to just reflect on it, so it's starting to sink in bit by bit," Palou said when asked if the win has even hit him yet. "I think I need, like, next week after Detroit to kind of relax and think about what we've just accomplished, but for sure super happy. Being here, it's tough, I mean, after the tour we did, New York, also Indy with media, but I'm excited."




Despite not having much time yet to think, there are moments that already stand out to him as a result of his biggest win.




"I would say the support from fans, all the people that were there at the track, but then after that," Palou said. "Every time I see them, they kind of make you feel super, super good. So that, and having pictures with my daughter and my wife there on the bricks, I think that's my favorite part."




That drink of milk at the end of the Indianapolis 500 is only adding fuel to Palou's drive to win more races. It's what he's most looking forward to now. 




"The feeling is so nice when you're there, when you win, when you see the emotions on your team, your family, yourself, that you just want to do it all over again."




Palou has won five of the six races so far this season, with first place finishes at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix, Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, and a May sweep at Indianapolis in the Sonsio Grand Prix and Indy 500. He finished second to Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. He's also familiar with the winner's circle in Detroit, having won the event in 2023. 




"I'm excited for Detroit," Palou said. "It's been a great track for us. Hopefully we can have a good weekend as well."




As the focus in the paddock now turns to securing the 2025 IndyCar Series Championship, Palou has a sizable lead in the standings, ahead of Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward by over 100 points going into Detroit. Despite a dominant start to the season so far, he's remaining cautious about getting his fourth championship. 




"Always concerned until it's done," Palou said. "Same as the 500. Anything can happen. We won five of the six races. Anybody can do it from now on, so we just need to keep on working the same way we've been doing, but yeah, obviously happy and proud of the start that we had, but not comfortable at all."




The Detroit Grand Prix is Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on FOX. The next race is the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, on Sunday, June 15^th at 8 p.m. on FOX. 



via: https://fox59.com/sports/500-champ-palou-looks-to-keep-rolling-in-detroit/