Defending Indianapolis 500 winner and reigning IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou wasted little time reminding the paddock who still owns the yard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Palou topped the speed charts Tuesday on Day 1 of practice for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, ripping off the fastest lap late in the session after spending much of the afternoon quietly tucked away in the garage. In classic Palou fashion, the Chip Ganassi Racing star didn’t need many laps to make his presence felt. When the timing screens mattered most, the Spaniard delivered.
The opening day at the Speedway carried the familiar feeling Hoosiers know so well every May — cool air, packed grandstands and the unmistakable sense that something special is building beneath the shadows of the old pagoda.
Marcus Armstrong ended the day second on the charts, continuing a strong start for Meyer Shank Racing, while Indiana native Conor Daly thrilled the home-state crowd with the third-fastest lap of the afternoon.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden slotted fourth as Team Penske again showed serious pace at the 2.5-mile oval, while six-time series champion Scott Dixon rounded out the top five for Ganassi.
It is only the first day of practice, but the early signs already point toward another unforgettable Month of May at the Racing Capital of the World.
