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RaceSchool.com Podcast Alex Palou “Bullpen” Interview

RaceSchool.com Podcast Alex Palou “Bullpen” Interview

Alex Palou has been on a tear in the NTT IndyCar Series ever since he joined Chip Ganassi Racing. He’s won three straight INDYCAR SERIES championships and four of the last five years. To top it off, he won the Indianapolis 500 last year and is currently leading the championship on the strength of four wins already this year, including Long Beach and Detroit. We caught up with the champ at the “media bullpen” at the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, where various questions are asked to him by a scrum of journalists, including Larry from FastLane. Not an ideal one-on-one setting, but when you’re this popular, it’s hard to get a word in edgewise. We managed to get a couple of questions for the champ to answer, including his take on what the most fun performance aspect of racing an Indy car is, as well as what’s the most challenging corner on the circuit. Enjoy!

NOTE: Although Palou only qualified third for Long Beach, he made an early pass on Pato O’Ward to garner second where he shadowed polesitter, Felix Rosenqvist, for most of the race. The final pit stop was just a wee bit quicker for Palou and he was able to hold the lead until the finish. Palou started the year off right by winning the opening race at St. Pete and then earn another victory at Barber Motorsports Park. 

By Larry Mason

Interview and Photos Copyright © by Larry Mason unless otherwise noted

You’d be smiling too if you’ve won as many races and championships as Alex Palou has! Here he is waving to the fans just before the start of the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The sun has been shining bright on Palou ever since he joined the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, but especially since he joined Chip Ganassi Racing.
All the teams on pit road want the combination to the success that Palou and Ganassi have been bringing week in and week out.
Early in the Long Beach race, Palou is already leading Pato O’Ward and last year’s winner, Kyle Kirkwood down Shoreline Drive.
Palou smoothly and quickly navigates his way around Turn 10 at Long Beach. He says that Turn 9 through Turn 11 is one of the most challenging sections of corners anywhere!
Fans and photographers standby to get a glimpse of inch-perfect Palou as he makes his way around the fountain.
Photographers want to get a shot of Palou as he shows the rest of the field how it’s done. Unfortunately for them, the view of his rear wing is about the only view they’ve been getting for the last few years!