– Alex Palou secured his fourth consecutive IndyCar title and his fifth in the past six years early at the Milwaukee Mile. No driver in the history of US open-wheel racing has reached five championships faster. He has not yet fully realized the extent of his historic achievements.
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When asked to classify his fifth title in the Ganassi-Honda #10, Palou explains that he can hardly put it into words. “I can’t. It’s really hard to put into words,” says the 29-year-old, and he directs his thanks to race strategist Barry Wanser and team owner Chip Ganassi.
“I owe everything to these two men beside me. They gave me the opportunity not only to be a race winner but a champion and now a five-time champion. It’s incredible. It feels like we just started yesterday. We are getting closer and closer. We have more and more fun every day. This year was an absolute joy.”
Impressive numbers for Palou’s fifth title
This feeling of how fast everything has gone contrasts with the records Palou has set since his move to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. By sealing the deal before the finale at Laguna Seca Raceway, Palou achieved in six years what legends of open-wheel racing took decades to accomplish.
His five championships from 2021 to 2026 represent the shortest span from first to fifth championship in history. He shattered the records of A.J. Foyt (eight years) and teammate Scott Dixon (16 years).
Additionally, the Spaniard at 29 years old is the youngest five-time champion in the series, also beating Foyt and Dixon here. “I’m turning 30 soon, so yes. That will be a big number,” Palou jokes.
He is also the first driver since the reunification in 2008 to win four titles in a row. The only driver who ever achieved this was Sebastien Bourdais from 2004 to 2007. In the all-time title list, Alex Palou Montalbo now ranks third behind Foyt with seven and Dixon with six titles.
Palou’s 2026 record with six wins, eight poles, seven podiums, twelve top-5 finishes, and 673 laps led in 17 races also lifted Chip Ganassi Racing to first place among the most successful IndyCar teams of all time.
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The 18th driver title for Ganassi breaks the tie with Team Penske. Ganassi has thus provided the champion in 13 of the 19 seasons since reunification, corresponding to a success rate of 68.4 percent.
Chip Ganassi honors Roger Penske
“When I look at the guy next to me – five championships in six years, the team now has 18, I have overtaken my buddy Roger,” says Ganassi. “But the fact is: I wouldn’t be here without him. If Roger hadn’t set the bar so high, there would be no bar to surpass or aim for.”
“I want to thank him for what he has done for IndyCar for so many years. I know he won’t be content to stand idly by in second place in the championships.”
According to Ganassi, the main reason for this success is the personnel stability of the team. “What enabled him to do this? The people around him, the team, the partners we had,” explains Ganassi. “Many people still have their fingerprints on this championship today. They are still here. They are still part of it.”
Race strategist Barry Wanser highlights this culture of shared leadership: “Chip is always with us on the #10. He may not sit directly at the command post, but Chip and I have worked together on the strategy for number 10 for 16 years. He trained me so that I can be in this position now. He is always with us.”
Since Palou is not even 30 years old and already stands on a level with motorsport legends, Ganassi is asked whether his star driver might reach eight titles before the end of his career. That would surpass A.J. Foyt, who has held the record with seven titles since 1979.
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“Absolutely. I mean, you’d be crazy not to believe that,” Ganassi says directly. “I definitely don’t want to bet against it, I know that. I don’t know the betting odds in Las Vegas for it, but I wouldn’t bet against it.”
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