By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
LEBANON, Tenn. – Alex Palou got his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win in Leeds in 2021. Since that maiden victory at Barber Motorsports Park, the Spaniard has gone on to win 11 more IndyCar races.
Palou celebrates third title. Credit: Drew Goolsby
With his 11th-place finish in his #10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Presented by Gainbridge at Nashville Superspeedway, Palou clinched his third championship in the last four years.
Alex Palou celebrates. Credit: Drew Goolsby
The season-ending race, the first IndyCar race at the speedway in 16 years, saw 237 passes for position and 635 total passes on track.
The day began with Paluo holding a 33-point lead in the championship standings over Will Power, a two-time Barber winner.
A disconnected seat belt in Power’s #12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet forced an early pitstop 13 laps into the race, leading to a 24th-place finish and ending Power’s championship hopes.
Power discusses seatbelt failure with Palou. Credit: Drew Goolsby
“I was driving down the front stretch there, and I just felt a pop on the lap belt,” Power said. “That’s a very abnormal thing. I don’t know what went wrong—very strange failure. I’ve never had that before. You have engine failures, gearbox failures; I had a belt failure.”
Colton Herta claimed his first oval win, his ninth overall, with a pass on Pato O’Ward’s #5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet on Lap 202. Herta’s #26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global led the next 48 laps and crossed the stripe 1.8106 seconds ahead of the popular Mexican and 2022 Barber winner.
Colton Herta. Credit: Drew Goolsby
“I’m so happy,” Herta said. “We knew we were going to have a hot rod in the race. It’s been an amazing year. I just saw I finished second in the championship, which is awesome. Hoping to do a little bit better next year.”
Josef Newgarden, a Nashville native and three-time Barber winner, rounded out the podium in his #2 Hitachi Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet.
Race podium, Colton Herta celebrates win with Pato O’Ward (left) and Josef Newgarden (right) Credit: Drew Goolsby
Palou joined a small club with his third championship. The 27-year-old is the 13th driver in IndyCar history to win at least three championships and the seventh to claim three championships over four years.
“I have to thank everyone working on the ten car. Super proud. It’s been an amazing year, and I’m happy we got the championship back home.”
Chip Ganassi Racing claimed its 16th championship, four of the last five, and trails Team Penske in total IndyCar championships by one.
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 2, with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The series returns to Leeds on May 4.
