Five-time IndyCar champion, first-time Indy NXT driver: Alex Palou tops IMS road course test
Five-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou stepped into unfamiliar territory on Friday, but the end result looked remarkably familiar. Climbing into an Indy NXT car for the very first time, Palou paced a 22-car field at the annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Driving the #11 Chip Ganassi Racing entry on an overcast, chilly day in Central ... Keep…
Alex Palou, a five-time IndyCar champion, donned the Indy NXT driver's helmet for the first time during a road course test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday. The event, honoring the late Chris Griffis, saw Palou post the fastest lap of the day at 1 minute, 14.5050 seconds on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn layout. Despite having no prior experience with the car, Palou was pleasantly surprised by his performance, stating, "Feels strange, but it feels good."
The test came as Palou's team, Chip Ganassi Racing, floated the idea for an Indy NXT test run during the 2026 season. Palou, known for his versatility, was quick to accept the opportunity, noting, "I love driving cars, any kind of car."
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