Sawt Falasteen - 'Lonely' Palou cruises to win at IndyCar Alabama Grand Prix

Palou won for the third time in four races this season with Denmark's Christian Lundgaard second and New Zealand's Scott McLaughlin third.

It was the 14th IndyCar career victory for Palou after 90 laps over the 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

Not since New Zealand's Scott Dixon had a driver won three of the first four races in an IndyCar campaign.

Palou cruised to victory in 16.26 seconds.

"It was a perfect day, I would say a perfect weekend," Palou said. "The car was amazing, super fast, and I just had a ton of fun. I was a bit lonely there but I loved it. It was an amazing day."

Dutchman Rinus Veekay was fourth with Australia's Will Power fifth.

Palou, chasing a fourth series crown in five campaigns, won this year's first two races at St. Petersburg and Thermal and captured his latest on the same Alabama track where he took his first IndyCar triumph in 2021.

"We've always been really good here. I love this place," Palou said. "Every lap here feels good. It's going to be special from now on."

Palou surged ahead at the start and cycled back to the front quickly after the first two sets of pit stops. He refueled for the last time on lap 65 and three laps later was back in front to the finish.

Palou, 28, advanced his points edge with Lundgaard moving past Long Beach winner Kyle Kirkwood of the United States into second.

"It's awesome. Everything we could have hoped for and much better," Lundgaard said.

The fifth race of the season will be contested Saturday on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as teams prepare for the series' signature event, the Indianapolis 500 oval classic on May 25.

Z.AlNajjar--SF-PST