Alex Palou can\u2019t stop won\u2019t stop ascending into the record books.<\/p>\n
The four-time and reigning\u00a0IndyCar Series champion took home the grand prize in Sunday\u2019s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach for the first time, which also stands as his third victory on the season and 22nd of his quickly established legendary career. Additionally, though, he became just the 14th driver in history to have won both the Indianapolis 500 and Long Beach, joining the likes of all-time greats such as Mario Andretti, current Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, and Al Unser, Jr., among others.<\/p>\n
As far as where the win at the historic 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit ranks in his list of accomplishments,\u00a0Palou puts it up pretty high.<\/p>\n
\u201cTough to say,\u201d said\u00a0Palou, 29. \u201cI feel like every win is so special. Obviously the 500 is always going to stay up top. This probably ranks top three. It’s super, super cool.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve been so lucky to have so much success.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Barry\u00a0Wanser, the Spaniard\u2019s race strategist and team manager of Chip Ganassi Racing, extended his thoughts on what the collective group on the #10 Honda is accomplishing together.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, everybody on the team is doing just a great job,\u201d\u00a0Wanser said. \u201cWe’re able to capitalize. Yeah, it’s a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palou agreed by simply saying, \u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
And even though\u00a0Palou has dominated the sport since moving to Chip Ganassi Racing ahead of his sophomore season in 2021, he remains in awe of their success.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we are,\u201d\u00a0Palou said. \u201cPeople think that we are not surprised of being here. We don’t take it for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
To which\u00a0Wanser chimed in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put a lot of effort into this,\u201d\u00a0Wanser said. \u201cIt doesn’t come easy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know a lot of people are saying that. We know every week we have to show up, the cars have to perform, the team has to perform. We need to make good decisions. It’s hard to win in\u00a0IndyCar.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with all of the success,\u00a0Palou remains present as his Long Beach win helps generate \u201chuge\u201d momentum going into the Indy 500 Open Test next week before heading into the month of May, where he swept the Indy road course and \u201cThe Greatest Spectacle in Racing\u201d a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cMomentum in sport and life in general is huge,\u201d\u00a0Palou said. \u201cThe confidence that I can carry myself personally, but then all the team, I think the crew as well. After delivering that pit stop, they’re super, like, tense and pressure, high-pressure moments. It’s like every single stop at the 500. They’re preparing for it. They’re ready for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, hopefully we can have a good open test, good road course, then ready for the big one.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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