Alex Palou clinched the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series title over the weekend, securing his fourth championship in five years and firmly placing himself among the elites of IndyCar history.
His success also means another title for Chip Ganassi Racing, giving the historic team 17 total championships in its history.
The team has had dominant drivers in the past such as Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, and Palou certainly lives up to the legacy those drivers built at CGR.
Team owner Chip Ganassi was all smiles after his driver secured the title on Sunday, saying that Palou’s driving talent spoils him when he has to consider inquiries from other drivers.
“Well, it certainly makes it more difficult to hire other drivers, I can tell you that,” said Ganassi in response to a question from Motorsportweek.com.
“When you have a year like we’ve had, you talk to these other drivers and they’ve had one or two wins in their career, I feel so bad.
“I say to [Managing Director Mike Hull] all the time, ‘We’re spoiled.’ There are good drivers that come and talk to us about possibilities. I feel so bad when I’m spoiled with Palou and Dixon and Franchitti. Yes, it spoils me.
“I’ve never seen a guy work so quietly and diligently at his craft as [Palou].
“I said in the beginning of the year that we’re just scratching the surface of his talent. I still think he’s got more in his gas tank, his tank, for this season, and he’s got more in his tank for coming seasons.”
Ganassi’s team is now tied with Team Penske with 17 series championships in the record book.
With a talent like Palou secured, it seems only a matter of time before that tie is broken and CGR can move into a category all its own.
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