Álex Palou Wins Indy 500 Pole, Eyes Repeat at 2025 Race — Who Won Indy 500 In 2025

Álex Palou won the pole for the 2025 Indy 500, and who won indy 500 in 2025 had a direct answer before the 110th running even reached the green flag. He arrived at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25 set to chase a second straight Indianapolis 500.

Palou Starts From Pole

The pole gave Palou the front spot for a race scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m. ET. He entered the day as the defending champion, which made the opening lap count even more for a driver trying to repeat at the Brickyard.

That chase came with rare company around him. The 2025 field included nine past winners, a reminder that the front row would not be the only place where experience mattered over 200 laps.

Field Loaded With Winners

Six drivers have won the Indianapolis 500 in back-to-back years, and Palou was trying to become one of them. That puts his pole in a sharper frame: he was not just starting first, he was starting from the best possible spot in a race where repeat winners remain a small club.

The field also included four rookies, which added a different layer to the race-day mix. They brought fresh faces, but the pressure sat with the drivers who had already been here before, especially the nine former winners who knew how quickly the race can turn.

On race morning in Indianapolis, a friend who works in the championship put the mood plainly: “You ain't seen nothing yet.” For Palou, the pole was the opening edge. The rest had to happen at the Speedway.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The 110th running of the Indy 500 was taking place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Palou on pole and the race set to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET. The straightest path to history was already in his hands, and the next test was whether he could convert that position into back-to-back victories.

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