Alex Palou opened up his NTT IndyCar Collection title protection in one of the simplest ways potential.
The three-time IndyCar champion held off runner-up Scott Dixon and third-place finisher Josef Newgarden to earn his twelfth profession victory in his 82nd IndyCar begin.
Palou’s lead ballooned to 5 seconds at one level in Sunday’s season-opening race, however the 27-year-old was caught behind the slower automobile of Sting Ray Robb within the closing laps as Robb tried to remain on the lead lap.
Newgarden reeled in Palou, closing the hole to as little as nine-tenths of a second, however Newgarden’s Chevrolet started the fade with each passing lap.
Palou was in a position to cross the road with a 2.86 second lead over Dixon, who bought round Newgarden for second on the ultimate lap.
