For a grueling 100 laps, Indy Car Drivers battled it out Sunday on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The Firestone Grand Prix kicked off the 2025 NTT Indycar Series.
Sunday’s course wound through the streets of St. Petersbug, and even incorporated sections of the Albert Whitted Airport. Known for its challenging layout, the circuit demanded precision and skill from drivers, setting the stage for one of Florida’s most exciting races.
At the end of the day, two-time NTT Indycar series winner Alex Palou clinched the top spot, beating out teammate Scott Dixon by a significant 2.8869 second margin. Both drivers chalked taking the top two spots up as a victory for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Here’s How It Happened
With a field of 27 cars, Sunday’s race began under clear skies on a dry track. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske secured pole position with a lap time of 59.4624 seconds. Alongside him on the front row was Colton Herta from Andretti Global.
At the outset of the race, a major crash occurred on the first lap in Turn 3, involving drivers Will Power, Nolan Siegel, and rookie Louis Foster, leading to an early caution period. The chain reaction began when Power’s car contacted Siegel’s from behind, leading to a collision that also ensnared Foster. Reflecting on the incident, Siegel expressed his disappointment: “I got hit from behind, and there’s not a lot I can do. The day’s done before it started. It sucks.” Power acknowledged his role in the incident, stating, “Got into the back of the 6 car which was my fault and obviously not intentional.”
Foster, the 2024 Indy NXT champion, observed that “everyone was checking up” and described the crash as “one of those things, I guess.” The early crash led to a six-lap caution period, prompting several teams to reassess their strategies for the remainder of the race. Winning driver Alex Palou used the delay to opt for an early pit stop, switching from the less favorable soft compound tires to the more durable hard compound.
As the race progressed, Palou’s strategic pit stop during the early caution proved advantageous. He steadily advanced through the field, showcasing consistent pace and tactical acumen. By lap 73, Palou executed an undercut during his pit stop, gaining track position over his teammate Scott Dixon, who was contending with radio communication issues throughout the race. Despite these challenges, Dixon was able to maintain a competitive pace.
In the final laps, Palou faced pressure from two-time series champion Josef Newgarden. Navigating through lapped traffic, Palou managed to preserve his lead. On the last lap, Dixon capitalized on an opportunity to overtake Newgarden, securing a 1-2 finish for Chip Ganassi Racing. The top five was completed by Scott McLaughlin in fourth and Kyle Kirkwood in fifth, both delivering commendable performances.
Top Three Finishers
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing)Alex Palou, hailing from Spain, has rapidly ascended in the INDYCAR ranks. After clinching the series championship in 2023 and 2024, Palou entered the 2025 season aiming for a third consecutive title, a feat achieved by only a select few in the sport’s history. His victory at St. Petersburg marked his 12th career win and his first on this particular street circuit. Reflecting on his performance, Palou stated, “Feels amazing to have won the first race of the season. It’s been the dream that we had since Nashville ended. We ended up winning the championship last year, but honestly, on race results, we were struggling a little bit at the end of the season. So we wanted to start a year off strong.”
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing)New Zealand’s Scott Dixon is a stalwart in the INDYCAR SERIES, boasting six series championships and an illustrious career spanning over two decades. Despite grappling with radio communication issues for the majority of the race, Dixon showcased his veteran savvy by securing second place. His ability to adapt and perform under less-than-ideal conditions further solidifies his reputation as one of the sport’s greats.
- Josef Newgarden (Team Penske)American driver Josef Newgarden, a two-time INDYCAR champion, is renowned for his aggressive driving style and tactical prowess. Starting from the 10th position, Newgarden methodically worked his way up the field, demonstrating the competitiveness that has defined his career. Although he conceded second place to Dixon on the final lap, Newgarden’s podium finish underscores his status as a perennial championship contender
Notable Performances
Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global delivered a noteworthy performance, finishing fifth after starting ninth. This result marks his eighth INDYCAR top-five finish and his best career result on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Reflecting on the race, Kirkwood commented, “A top-five result from ninth is earlier always good, but of course, we want more. We want to win and we want podiums, but under the circumstances, we were happy with a top five and leaving here with some points.”
Pato O’Ward, the 2024 Firestone Grand Prix winner, faced earlier challenges during qualifying, starting from the 23rd position. However, he was able to skilfully overcome the deficit by climbing 12 positions to finish 11th, the most significant advancement by any driver in the race.
Hot Race Statistics
- Race winner Alex Palou completed the event with an average speed of 97.173 mph This was the official average speed for Palou’s #10 Honda over the entire race distance, reflecting his winning time of 1:51:08.5118. Palou’s average speed is the same as the overall race average, since he covered the full distance fastest, clinching victory by a 2.8669-second margin
- The highest speed recorded during the race came via the fastest lap. Josef Newgarden set the quickest lap on Lap 89 with a time of 1:01.6900 (min:sec), which equates to an average lap speed of 105.041 mph This was the top speed achieved by any car in the Grand Prix (Newgarden’s lap being the fastest of the race).
The 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg set a thrilling tone for the INDYCAR SERIES season. Alex Palou’s victory makes him the driver to watch as he pursues his third consecutive series win. With seasoned veterans like Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden continuing to challenge for top positions, fans can anticipate a season rich with excitement and high-caliber racing.
