Alex Palou Wins 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

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The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season has kicked off with a thrilling race at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where Alex Palou took the top spot on the podium. Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, secured his 12th career victory in the series, finishing 2.8669 seconds ahead of his teammate Scott Dixon. The win marks a strong start to Palou's quest for a third consecutive Astor Challenge Cup as series champion.

Palou's strategy played a crucial role in his victory, as he and his team made the most of the only caution period in the race to switch from the grippier, less durable Firestone Firehawk alternate tires to the more durable Firestone primary tires. This move proved decisive, allowing Palou to undercut his teammate Dixon and take the lead for good on Lap 75. Dixon, who had been dealing with radio communication issues, was unable to discuss strategy with his team and reacted to Palou's pit move by stopping one lap later, ultimately finishing in second place.

The race saw several drivers vying for the top spot, with Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, and Felix Rosenqvist all leading at various points. However, it was Palou who consistently demonstrated his speed, strategy, and patience to take the win. Newgarden rounded out the podium finishers in third place, while McLaughlin finished fourth and Kyle Kirkwood rounded out the top five.

The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is set to take place on Sunday, March 23, at The Thermal Club in California. With Palou's strong start to the season, he will be looking to build on his momentum and make a push for his fourth championship title. Here are the top 5 finishers:

• Alex Palou - No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
• Scott Dixon - No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
• Josef Newgarden - No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet
• Scott McLaughlin - No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet
• Kyle Kirkwood - No. 27 Chili’s Honda

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a talented field of drivers and a challenging schedule ahead. As the season progresses, fans can expect to see more thrilling races and intense competition for the top spot.