The reigning champion began down in 10th place, after a mystifying droop in tempo within the second spherical of qualifying on Saturday, however regarded properly set with a shot for victory after making his first pitstop beneath warning.
However he was then coerced into make the second of his two-stop technique beneath one other yellow, after Sting Ray Robb’s AJ Foyt Racing automobile misplaced its steering and crashed at Flip 1.
That got here a number of laps sooner than he’d have most well-liked, which meant Palou had to enter excessive fuel-saving mode till the end.
“It was a rollercoaster right this moment,” Palou informed NBC. “At factors we thought we had been gonna win it by seconds, then we had been simply screwed.
“It’s what it’s. It’s IndyCar, some days it falls your approach, some days it doesn’t.”
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda pit cease
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
His second cease meant the three-stopping Team Penske vehicles of Scott McLaughlin and Will Power had been about to outpace him, they usually had been capable of rejoin forward of him after making their final stops.
His team-mate Linus Lundqvist and Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist additionally demoted him to fifth by the chequered flag,
“It was irritating, as a result of I wished to defend and I couldn’t as a result of we needed to save a lot gasoline that we couldn’t,” he added. “From 10th to fifth was day.
“Can’t look ahead to the month of Could now.”
Palou’s constant finishes over the primary three races means he’s third in factors, simply behind Andretti World’s Colton Herta and Energy.
On the other finish of the technique scale, rookie team-mate Lundqvist made one of the best of how the yellows fell to cost from 19th on the grid to complete third.
“I do not actually just like the expression, this is sort of a win for us, however I am extraordinarily pleased with the rostrum,” stated Lundqvist. “, it is my first in IndyCar.
“It has been just a little bit tough for me, the primary couple of races and even struggled just a little bit this weekend. However man, what can I say? The staff did a tremendous job.”