AVONDALE, Ariz. – Alex Palou’s lead in the IndyCar Series standings will be wiped out by an early crash at Phoenix Raceway.
Palu, who has won the past three IndyCar championships and four of the past five IndyCar championships, met Rinus Verkay shortly after the one-lap oval restart. Graham Rahal had just passed Palou and he drifted outside where Veekay met him.
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Palau made his 100th IndyCar start without injury.
“I don’t think there was anyone there,” he told Fox outside the medical center.
The 28-year-old Spaniard won eight of 17 races last season, including the Indianapolis 500, and is seeking his fourth title. He won 20 games in his career. He could fall out of the top spot in the IndyCar standings for the first time since June 9, 2024.
“It feels like there’s not a lot of space out there,” Palu continued. “But I don’t know, maybe it’s my fault.”
“He hit me with his car, man,” Vaike said on the radio after the accident.
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Zion Brown is a motorsports reporter for IndyStar. follow him in @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motorsports coverage delivered right to your inbox Our motorsport newsletter. subscriptionYouTube Channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar Get behind-the-scenes footage and expert analysis of IndyCar racing.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Alex Palu crash: IndyCar champion knocked out of Phoenix race by Rinus VeeKay
