IOWA SPEEDWAY, July 13, 2025 – Alex Palou, the championship leader, navigated a challenging Synk 275 at Iowa Speedway today, finishing fifth, but will start from pole position tomorrow. It was the first race of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season where Honda didn’t reach the top step of the podium, ending an impressive 11-race win streak.
Palou Maintains Championship Lead Despite Fifth-Place Finish
Despite a slightly diminished lead, Palou remains firmly in control of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship battle.
- Alex Palou finished fifth in the Synk 275 at Iowa Speedway.
- Palou will start on pole for tomorrow’s Farm to Finish 275.
- Honda’s 11-race win streak was broken, but the manufacturer still leads the championship.
- Marcus Armstrong and Scott Dixon secured top-10 finishes, placing ninth and tenth respectively.
Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, still boasts a commanding 105-point advantage in the championship standings as he pursues his third consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES title – and fourth in five years. The Spaniard acknowledged the race wasn’t perfect, stating, “Number one Honda today, but 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, or the driving. We lost a couple positions in the pits, and I lost a couple more on track. Overall, we had tons of speed, so I’m looking forward to starting P1 tomorrow.”
What strategic adjustments will Palou and his team make overnight to capitalize on his pole position for tomorrow’s race? The answer could be crucial in solidifying his championship lead.
Armstrong and Dixon Contribute Top-10 Finishes
Adding to Honda’s strong showing, Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing finished ninth, while veteran Scott Dixon rounded out the top ten. Armstrong expressed cautious optimism, saying, “It was a lot of work for P9, but I definitely felt more confident towards the end of the race. I didn’t feel like the car balance was perfect, but I think we can make some small adjustments for tomorrow and we’ll be rockin’.”
Honda’s Dominance Faces First Challenge of the Season
Today’s race marked the first time in 2025 that Honda didn’t claim victory, bringing an end to an impressive streak of 11 consecutive wins that began with the final event of 2024. Kelvin Fu, Vice President of HRC US, reflected on the run, stating, “We’ve had a remarkable start to the season here in IndyCar. Ten wins in a row in 2025 is something we are all so proud of, and it really is a testament to all of the hard work from the men and women at HRC, as well as all of 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.”
Despite the end of the win streak, Honda maintains a significant lead in the manufacturers’ championship, holding a 172-point advantage over Chevrolet with a score of 969 to 797.
Looking Ahead: Farm to Finish 275
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and drivers will return to action tomorrow for the second race of the Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend, the Farm to Finish 275, scheduled to begin at 1 PM ET on Fox.
