Palou extends championship lead with second consecutive win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif. (July 27, 2025) – Points leader Alex Palou continued his command of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a perfect weekend at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Palou took the checkered flag on the 95-lap main event on Sunday for his third victory on the iconic road course and eighth win of the season.

Palou’s second consecutive Monterey win came after the driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing started from the pole and led 84 of the 95 laps. The victory lowered his average finish in five starts at this track to 1.6, the lowest of any driver in any event on the current calendar.

Palou was joined on the podium by Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard and Colton Herta of Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian, in second and third, respectively.

“It was not easy,” he said. “We had to push; we had to try to be ready for those (late caution periods). We knew that we were not on the (freshest) of tires … but luckily we had enough pace to open a small gap and get the win.”

Sunday’s impressive victory marked Palou’s eighth win in 14 races this season. Only three drivers in the sport’s history – A.J. Foyt in 1964, Al Unser in 1970 and Mario Andretti in 1969 – have won more races in a single year. Foyt and Unser hold the season record with 10 wins. Andretti at nine. Palou is one of six drivers with eight; he is the first to do so since Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.

In other racing on Sunday, Brazil’s Caio Collet completed a doubleheader sweep of the INDY NXT by Firestone weekend, thrusting himself into championship contention with three races to go. The HMD Motorsports driver led all 35 laps in each of the Grand Prix of Monterey races, slicing his deficit to series leader Dennis Hauger by more than half as Hauger stumbled in Race 2. With nine laps remaining, Hauger had contact with Andretti Global teammate Lochie Hughes, sending both cars into the gravel. Hauger finished 16th in the 19-car field.

Josh Pierson of HMD Motorsports finished second for his second straight podium result. Abel Motorsports driver Callum Hedge finished third, his best finish of the season.

For complete results, visit INDYCAR.com. For more information on upcoming events at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, visit weathertechraceway.com.


Photo Credits: Devon Tessler (feature), Penske Entertainment: Chris Owens, Travis Hinkle, and Penske Entertainment: Chris Owens

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