NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou exited Saturday's race at Phoenix Raceway early after a stunning incident. Now, he will likely lose his lead in the season-long standings.
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The incident occurred after the caution for Dennis Hauger spinning. Once the field took the green flag at the 1-mile oval, they began frantically jockeying for position. Palou raced in the center of the track, but he began drifting up as Rinus Veekay began to make a move on the outside.
The two racers made contact, which spun Palou into the outside wall. He remained up against the wall while Veekay drove off with some damage to the left front of his No 76. Palou ultimately drifted down onto the apron with the right front wheel housing completely broken.
Alex Palou into the wall! pic.twitter.com/k8v356UBkV
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 7, 2026
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver had made multiple passes early after starting 10th overall, but he ultimately ended the race in 24th position. The only driver to finish behind him was Romain Grosjean, who did not take the green flag due to a mechanical issue.
"I don't know, I haven't been able to see it," Palou said after the incident. "I don't know if I squeezed someone or someone was trying to get there.
"I mean, I didn't think there was anybody there. Need to see if there was really that space or not, but unfortunate that we ended up in the wall so early."
Palou, a four-time champion, enjoyed a dominant campaign last season. He led the series with eight wins, and he easily cruised to the title. He then kicked off this season by winning at St. Petersburg after leading 59 of the 100 laps.
Palou left St. Petersburg (Florida) with an 11-point lead over Scott McLaughlin in the season-long standings. This advantage evaporated after the Saturday afternoon crash at Phoenix Raceway. Other drivers had the opportunity to begin contending for the race win and crucial points.
