Alex Palou Secures Fourth Consecutive IndyCar Championship
Alex Palou has officially clinched the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series championship, marking his fourth consecutive title and fifth overall. The decisive moment came during an unusual doubleheader weekend at the Milwaukee Mile, which experienced weather delays and a reshuffled schedule.
A Weekend of Unforeseen Schedules
The championship battle unfolded amidst a peculiar race format. The initial race, scheduled for Saturday, was red-flagged at lap 90 due to rain. This left the remaining 160 laps to be completed on Sunday morning. However, persistent dampness on the track pushed the resumption of Race 1 even later. In a unique turn of events, the second scheduled race of the weekend was moved up to run first, effectively becoming Race 1.5, before the conclusion of the original Race 1.
Palou, starting from pole position in the noon race (Race 2), secured a fifth-place finish. Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren claimed victory in this event. This result, while strong, was secondary to Palou’s primary objective: accumulating enough points to secure the championship.
clinching the Title
The mathematical clinching of the championship required Palou to maintain a lead of over 54 points by the time the checkered flag fell on the first race (which concluded after the second race). Palou adopted a cautious strategy for the remainder of the race, prioritizing a clean finish and ensuring his No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda returned without damage. He ultimately finished tenth in this race.
Remarkably, Pato O’Ward also won the rescheduled first race, achieving the rare feat of winning two races in a single day. However, the day belonged to Palou, whose consistent performance throughout the season had built a sufficient points buffer to secure his fifth career title, and an unprecedented fourth in a row, with one race still remaining on the calendar.
A Historic Run of Dominance
Palou’s current streak places him among the sport’s all-time greats. His five championships put him third on the career list, trailing only A.J. Foyt, who has seven titles, and his teammate Scott Dixon, who has six. This level of sustained success is a testament to Palou’s skill and the strength of the Chip Ganassi Racing team.
Looking Ahead to the Season Finale
Despite having the championship secured, Palou is not expected to ease up in the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This track is one where Palou has historically performed exceptionally well, suggesting he will likely contend for another victory.
The final race of the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season is scheduled for September 6th, with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
