An underdog strategy, multiple late cautions that stacked the field and running the final stint on the worst combination of tire available did not matter to defending NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou.
He clearly had the best car Sunday (June 23) and won the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Early leader Colton Herta finished second, followed by Alexander Rossi who tied his best finish since joining Arrow McLaren.
While a string of cautions popped up in the second half of the race, it was a yellow on lap 36 that put things in Palou’s hands. His team made the call to leave him out, which at the time didn’t appear to be the advantageous call as other cars would get fresher tires. But since 13 cars stayed out, previous leaders Herta and Rossi were mired in traffic, and Palou put the hammer down.
By the time he made his second stop on lap 55, he had created a lead of over 20 seconds. Later, his competition was forced into fuel-save mode while he was free to push it through his remaining two stints. The pace was in his car all day, and the strategy worked into his favor by lap 64.
It was his second win of the year, fourth straight podium at Laguna Seca and jumped him back to the championship lead.
Rounding out the top five was Romain Grosjean, who earned his team Juncos Hollinger Racing their best career finish in fourth, and Kyle Kirkwood.
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