Alex Palou makes history as 1st Spanish driver to win the Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS AP Alex Palou has become the first driver from Spain to win the Indianapolis by holding off former Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson over the closing laps Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Palou who has won three IndyCar titles in four years including the last two came to the speedway with four wins through the first five races this season But it was No The Greatest Spectacle in Racing that he had circled on his calendar Without an Indy win Palou explained his career resume would never be complete Palou stopped the car just beyond the Yard of Bricks climbing out of it and nearly losing his balance as he raised his arms in triumph He jumped down and took off in a run down the front stretch pulling off his gloves and tossing them behind him and ultimately was engulfed by his father Ramon and his Chip Ganassi Racing gang in a jubilant celebration Scott Dixon gave him a big hug so did Dario Franchitti with both Ganassi Indy winners welcoming Palou into the specific club I cannot believe it What an amazing day What an amazing race Palou noted I cannot believe it It was tough Tough conditions out there especially if you were like third or fourth in the pack Even leading the fuel consumption was super high so they didn t want me to lead I wished to lead honestly so yeah made it happen Meanwhile Ericsson climbed from his car and pressed his hands to his face at the disappointment of coming oh-so close to a second Indianapolis achievement Ericsson the Indy winner finished second for Andretti Global in a - finish for Honda David Malukas was third for A J Foyt Racing and the highest-finishing Chevrolet Josef Newgarden s bid to win three consecutive Indy s ended with a fuel pump issue He was trying to become the first driver to come from the back row to win because he and Gang Penske teammate Will Power were dropped to the back of the field for failing inspection before qualifying Power wound up th the highest-finishing Penske driver on a miserable day for the organization owned by Roger Penske He earlier this week fired his top three IndyCar executives for a second technical infraction in just over a year and has had to defend the optics of his teams failing inspections when he also owns IndyCar Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Penske has won the Indy a record times It was Indy win number six for Ganassi who has been on a dominating wave since hiring Palou ahead of the season Palou then won the championship that year has added two more titles and now seems on pace for a fourth one The guy is just unbelievable I don t know what else to say Ganassi declared It is an incredible thing it s going to make Alex Palou s career it is going to make his life and it has certainly made mine Palou started the race tied with Pato O Ward as the co-favorites listed at by BetMGM O Ward finished fourth the fifth time in six career starts the Mexican has finished sixth or higher Kyle Larson won t complete the double after crashing out of the Indianapolis before he headed to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola NASCAR race