The Milwaukee Mile — Alex Palou has trouble even thinking about winning a record eight INDYCAR titles.
“It’s crazy. It’s 100 percent more than what I had this morning,” Palou told me Sunday night after winning his fifth championship. “It’s quite a lot.”
At 29 years old, Palou is the youngest to achieve five titles. Only two other people have ever done it — A.J. Foyt (seven) and Scott Dixon (six).
Alex Palou clinched his fifth title at Milwaukee on Sunday. (Getty Images)
Dixon, a Chip Ganassi Racing teammate of Palou’s, believes Palou could match him and potentially win more. Palou has won his five titles over the last six years, including his fourth consecutive crown this season.
“He’s damn close already so I think with the roll that he’s been on, it’s been an epic roll and one that’s been a standout if you look at history just in general with what they’ve done in the past four years, is crazy,” Dixon told me Saturday.
“The [competition for] championships haven’t actually been championships. Kudos to them. Congrats to him and everyone on that crew.”
Pato O’Ward, who swept the weekend races at The Milwaukee Mile and sits fourth within the standings, joked that he would give Dixon — who’s transferring to Arrow McLaren and will likely be a teammate of O’Ward beginning subsequent 12 months — a goat.
And Palou? Though they’re not teammates, he’d give him a child goat.
However in a few years, O’Ward is aware of Palou may deserve a goat that matches Dixon.
“The man lives hire free in everybody’s head within the paddock,” O’Ward mentioned in his post-race information convention. “He is raised that bar, him and Ganassi. That [No.] 10 automotive has been unbelievable.
“Should be good. Someday we’ll get there.”
Pato O’Ward (middle) mentioned he hopes that he can get to Palou’s degree sooner or later. (Getty Photos)
However when? Some say the brand new automotive in 2028 would be the alternative for the sector to catch Palou, who has gained 14 races within the final two seasons.
Palou, one in every of a few drivers who has examined the automotive, chuckles when he hears that.
“The nice factor is that I really feel it suits my driving model even higher than the present one, so it’s going to be enjoyable,” Palou mentioned.
That’s the competitor in Palou talking, not a driver who thinks about successful eight titles.
The Spaniard’s eyes aren’t on that objective. His focus stays on the one race left within the 2026 season, a visit to Laguna Seca subsequent weekend.
“It is very powerful to comprehend whilst you’re doing it and whilst you suppose that there is nonetheless extra to go,” Palou mentioned. “I really feel it should be tremendous cool after I retire and I look again and be like, ‘Hey, you gained X quantity of championships and also you completed all these items.’
“It is going to be tremendous cool. However now, it is tremendous cool to win this one and to try to go to Laguna and win at Laguna.”
Dixon indicated that’s the manner most champions method making historical past with championships.
“For him, it’s the identical for me, you concentrate on the weekend and if the championships come, that’s incredible,” Dixon mentioned. “But when we’re what he’s achieved, it is loopy.”
Scott Dixon is in awe at Alex Palou’s success. (Getty Photos)
Their boss, Chip Ganassi, wouldn’t wager towards Palou to achieve eight.
“You would be loopy to not consider that,” Ganassi mentioned in the course of the championship information convention. “I would not wish to wager towards that, I do know that. I do not know what the percentages are in Vegas of that, however I would not wish to wager towards it.
“It is attainable, it could possibly occur. It may completely occur.”
Palou, for now, will simply look to enhance. He marvels at the truth that he has a career-high seven poles this 12 months, together with at some locations the place he hasn’t had the velocity in earlier years. However he really hasn’t gained from the pole all that usually — solely twice.
“I do know, it’s been horrible,” Palou mentioned in regards to the races the place he gained the pole. “I finished doing that [winning poles]. … There have been 5 poles that we didn’t make it into wins.”
And what about eight titles and breaking the report?
“Is it attainable? For positive … 100%,” Palou mentioned. “I really feel like this crew and the way in which I really feel, I nonetheless have a lot to be taught that it’s doable. However there’s a lot we have to accomplish to get to eight.
“I’ll work for that for positive. However I’ll work to get six first.”
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Pato O’Ward gained the weekend, however Alex Palou gained one other title.
