Alex Palou scores his eighth victory of 2025 at Laguna Seca

Alex Palou won again at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this Sunday, securing his eighth victory in 14 races of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda led 84 of the 95 laps in the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey.

Palou approaches historic win record

With this new victory, Palou joins an exclusive list of just six drivers who have achieved eight wins in a single season. Only three drivers have recorded more wins in a year: A.J. Foyt with 10 in 1964, Al Unser with 10 in 1970, and Mario Andretti with nine in 1969. Palou needs three more wins to match the all-time record.

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver also set the fastest lap during the ninth lap with a speed of 113.821 mph, demonstrating the superior pace he maintained throughout the two hours and five minutes of action at the California circuit.

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Podium battle and race incidents

Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren finished second, followed by Colton Herta of Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian in third place. Pato O'Ward took fourth, a result that allowed Palou to extend his championship lead.

The race had five caution periods totaling 13 laps. Incidents began on the first lap with contact between Conor Daly and Robert Shwartzman, and between Kyffin Simpson and Felix Rosenqvist. Jacob Abel experienced mechanical failure on lap 11, while Kyle Kirkwood received a penalty for contacting Rinus VeeKay.

The only driver who managed to take the lead from Palou was Nolan Siegel of Arrow McLaren, who led the first 11 laps of his series career before Palou regained the top position.

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Championship standings with three races remaining

With 590 points accumulated, Palou leads by 121 points over O'Ward, who has 469 points after his fourth-place finish. Scott Dixon sits third with 392 points, followed by Kyle Kirkwood with 377 points.

Palou's advantage virtually secures his fourth title in five years. For O'Ward to have mathematical chances, he would need to win all three remaining races while Palou scores no points - a highly unlikely scenario.

This marked Palou's third victory at Laguna Seca in the last four years, solidifying this track as one of his favorites. In five appearances at this circuit, he has averaged a finishing position of 1.6, the best record of any driver on the current calendar.

Portland will be the next challenge

The series will return to action on Sunday, August 10 with the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland at 3:00 p.m. ET. Portland International Raceway is another track where Palou has found success, winning there in 2021 and 2023.

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