Alex Palou Leads Honda Drivers in Iowa Race 1 of INDYCAR Series

In a significant display of competitive racing, Alex Palou emerged as the leading Honda driver in the first race of the Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend, the Synk 275, held on July 13, 2025, at Iowa Speedway. Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, finished the race in fifth place, which sets him up to start from pole position in the subsequent race of the doubleheader weekend. He currently leads the championship standings with a 105-point advantage, maintaining his quest for a third consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES title.

The race marked a notable moment for Honda, as it was the first event of the 2025 season where the automaker did not secure a victory, ending a remarkable streak of 11 consecutive wins. This winning streak included victories from the previous ten races of the season and the last event of the 2024 season. Despite the setback, Honda retains a commanding lead in the manufacturers' championship, outpacing Chevrolet by 172 points, with a tally of 969-797.

Palou's performance, although not a victory, highlighted the competitive nature of the race. He expressed a mix of satisfaction and disappointment, stating, "I wish we finished a little further up front. The speed was there; we just didn’t execute to 100% today with the strategy or the pit stops. We lost a couple of positions in the pits and on track, but overall, we had tons of speed. I’m looking forward to starting P1 tomorrow."

Other Honda drivers also performed well, with Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing finishing ninth and Scott Dixon securing a top-ten finish in tenth place. Armstrong reflected on his race, noting, "It was a lot of work for P9, but I felt more confident towards the end of the race. I think we can make some small adjustments for tomorrow and we’ll be rockin’."

Kelvin Fu, Vice President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) US, commented on the team’s performance, emphasizing the pride in their early-season achievements. "Ten wins in a row in 2025 is something we are all so proud of. It is a testament to all of the hard work from the men and women at HRC, as well as all the incredibly talented teams and drivers we work with at Honda. Of course, we wanted the win streak to continue, but that’s racing. We will be back to fight again tomorrow."

As the teams prepare for the second race of this weekend, the Farm to Finish 275, scheduled for July 14, 2025, at 1 PM ET, the excitement for Honda’s return to the winner's circle remains high. With Palou starting from pole and the team’s strong performance thus far, expectations are set for a thrilling continuation of the INDYCAR season. The race will be broadcast live on Fox, allowing fans to witness the unfolding drama and competition as Honda aims to reclaim its winning momentum.