Palou goes two-in-a-row with excellent tire strategy at Thermal

The inaugural Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix saw Pato O’Ward lead the field of 27 drivers for more than 50 of the 65 laps, but his pole position and dominance wasn’t rewarded with victory.

Alex Palou used superb pit strategy from his Chip Ganassi Racing team which saw the Spaniard finish the race on new Firestone alternate tires while O’Ward was on new primaries, and after facing an 11s deficit leaving the pits on the final stop, Palou used the extra grip from his tires to chase O’Ward down, took the lead on the 56th lap, and rocketed away to claim his second consecutive win of the season.

The race was a processional affair until the last pit stop exchange, but O’Ward and teammate Christian Lundgaard, who started first and second, were able to score plenty of points after completing the podium positions.
Palou was the first driver home for Honda with the two Chevy-powered drivers in tow. Behind the podium finishers, Andretti Global’s Colton Herta was fourth, Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist in fifth, and Team Penske’s Will Power in sixth.

Alex Palou takes the lead from Pato O’Ward! #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/WlVGf8TEc1

— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 23, 2025

Ninety degree weather and clear blue skies greeted approximately 5000 fans at the 3.067-mile, 17-turn road course situated in California’s Coachella Valley.

Check back soon for a more detailed report.