The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the best day on the racing calendar, with the Monaco Grand Prix in the morning followed by the Indianapolis 500 in the afternoon. Despite the efforts of Formula 1 to artificially manufacture excitement (through mandatory pit-stops) the F1 race was boring. The pole-sitter from Saturday won the race on Sunday. Surely fans could expect excitement from the 33 drivers competing for racing immortality at the Indy 500, the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing‘ right?
Nope. It seems that IndyCar driver Alex Palou of Spain is so good, that he’s made the outcome of IndyCar races predictable. Everyone already knows who’s going to win.
Alex Palou is so dominant right now that his No. 10 Ganassi Racing car has won 5 of the first 6 races in the 2025 IndyCar season, practically clinched the season-long championship, and on Sunday, took victory at the Indianapolis 500. Palou is so good at what he does that it’s become boring to watch. No matter who was leading, and irrespective of their strategies, Palou (and his team ‘The Perfect 10s‘) was right there in the pack waiting to attack. On lap 187 Palou made a pass for the lead and was never challenged as he cruised to victory. At the checkered flag their were collective groans from the crowd. The same guy won again!
Despite all the backlash from fans, Palou is a good guy. A husband and father, he actually brought his kid up on the podium to drink the ceremonial milk after his Indy 500 win. Even though he’s 28-years-old, Alex still brings his parents to races with him. He isn’t a boastful guy crowing about his victories, nor a sore loser complaining about his losses. It’s hard to hate him, but golly, IndyCar race fans are exceedingly tired of him.
FOX play-by-play announcer Will Buxton commented on Palou’s incredible prowess so far. It’s the best start to an IndyCar season since A.J. Foyt won seven consecutive races to kick off the 1964 IndyCar season. Only looking back at winning streaks do fans realize they were witnessing greatness. But the fun of motor racing is its unpredictable nature;. During those eras when Schumacher, Al Unser Jr., Hamilton or Bourdais beat everyone week after week it was boring!
Palou will go down in history as one of the greatest open-wheel racers in history. But is it too much to ask that someone else wins this year?
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