Álex Palou became the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Michael Conroy/AP
CNN —
“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” certainly lived up to its name after Álex Palou took the checkered flag to win the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
The 28-year-old overtook Marcus Ericsson entering turn 1 on lap 187 of 200 to secure his first-career Indy 500 win while making history at the same time.
The Barcelona native became the first Spaniard to win the prized race and added yet another trophy to his impressive resume.
After the checkered flag, Palou pulled up just past the Yard of Bricks, climbed out of his yellow and red No. 10 car, waved his fists to the cheering crowd on hand and made a long sprint to celebrate with his team and father after throwing his driving gloves off his hands.
The celebration of winning the Indy 500 was not complete for Palou without drinking from a milk bottle before kissing the bricks.
Palou celebrates his fifth victory of the 2025 IndyCar season. Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Palou said his racing career wouldn’t be complete with an Indy 500 victory.
“I cannot believe it. What an amazing day. What an amazing race,” Palou told the Fox broadcast. “…It’s amazing. It’s amazing to be here. It’s amazing to win. There were some moments that I felt really good in the race but in the end I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to pass Marcus (Ericsson) or not. Made it happen. First oval win, what a better place.”
Palou later added that he wasn’t sure what the win meant for Spain but he hoped they were celebrating.
“Hopefully they are celebrating as much as I am here,” Palou told reporters. “It makes it extra special that I’m the first Spanish driver to win it, but honestly, if I was the 50th Spanish driver to win it, I would be as happy as I am now and as proud as I am now.
“But hopefully that gets more fans, more people. There was a lot of Spanish flags here today, which I did never see, already on the parade laps that we had before the start of the race, that we were saying hello to the fans. I got to see the crowds, and there was a lot of Spanish flags. It’s pretty cool.”
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who has won three IndyCar titles in four years, came into the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with four wins through the first five races this season and has now won his fifth.
Chip Ganassi Racing secured their sixth Indy 500 win and the first since 2022. Christine Tannous/Imagn Images/Reuters
It was Indy 500 win number six for Ganassi Racing and team owner Chip Ganassi called his driver “unbelievable.”
0.000 SRY