Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou in the No.10 DHL Honda says that it is huge knowing that they have a car capable of winning after both he and Scott Dixon have won races so far in the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
The Spaniard started the Sonsio Grand Prix from pole position and led 39 of the 85 laps to claim his first win of the season and his first in DHL colors to take a 12-point lead in the championship over Will Power of Team Penske into the Greatest Spectacle In Racing, the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in two weeks.
Speaking to Paddock Eye at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway following his race win, Palou said:
Yeah, it’s huge. Even though last year we were really good, every year starts from zero. Everybody starts with the same points and same amount of wins, and it’s good to get that out of the way early in the season. I had years where I didn’t win until the last race like 2022. It’s good to get that out of the way.
But then when we switched the car and we switched the track to the other side, it doesn’t translate what happened this weekend. We need to start all over again and try and work through the same things to try and get on Saturday and Sunday with speed.
Marcus Armstrong scored his career-best result on Saturday with a great drive to fifth place and speaking about the New Zealander’s performance in the Sonsio Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Palou said:
Yeah, first time in the top 5, right? I think he’s been working very hard and he’s been knocking on that door a lot. Still hasn’t had the perfect weekend where everything fits for him, but he’s been really fast. Even last year here in August, I think he qualified seventh, and unfortunately I took him out on the first lap.
But he’s been really good. Barber he went into the Fast Six, was the only car of the team in the Fast Six, and it’s great that he got his first top 5. I’m sure that he will have a couple of wins this year.
The opening practice for the Indianapolis 500 gets underway on Tuesday.