Alex Palou takes first career win in IndyCar Series opener
Barber Motorsports Park
Alex Palou scores first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing win Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Jeff Proctor, Honda Off-Road Racing Team score win in San Felipe 250.
Alex Palou completed a "Hat Trick" of international racing victories for Honda today by claiming his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
Palou's win at Barber Motorsports Park completed the weekend sweep for Honda, which included wins by Max Verstappen in his Red Bull Racing Honda in the Formula One race at Imola, Italy; and the Jeff Proctor-led Honda Off-Road Racing Team claiming the Class 7 victory in the SCORE International San Felipe 250 in Baja, Mexico.
Starting third in today's season-opening, 90-lap contest, Palou was flawless in claiming victory in just his 15th INDYCAR start, and his first with Chip Ganassi Racing. At the checkers, Palou held off former series champion Will Power by four-tenths of a second to claim the win, with his Ganassi teammate and defending series champion Scott Dixon, third.
Fast Facts
・Honda takes the initial lead in the 2021 INDYCAR Manufacturers' Championship with an unofficial total of 90 points to 73 for rival Chevrolet. Honda is seeking the company's fourth consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturers' Championship in 2021. ・Alex Palou also takes the early-season lead in the Drivers' Championship standings, with 53 points to 41 for Team Penske's Will Power. Palou's Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, defending and six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon, is third with 35 points. ・Seven wins in 2020 brought Honda the company's ninth INDYCAR Manufacturers' Championship, and third consecutive title, with Honda driver Scott Dixon prevailing to win his sixth Drivers' Championship, highest among all active drivers in the series.
Next
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES now heads southeast to Florida for next weekend's Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, April 23-25.