Alex Palou edged Pato O’Ward in a late race charge to claim the 2025 Thermal Club IndyCar win.
The event marked the first points-paying IndyCar race at the luxurious Thermal Club circuit in Southern California and it did not disappoint. With a mix of tire strategies, intense battles on track, and standout performances, the race showcased the depth of talent in the NTT IndyCar Series.
Alex Palou’s 2025 Thermal Club IndyCar win marked his second consecutive victory of the season with his strategic prowess and speed solidifying his position as a dominant force in the championship.
Pato O’Ward began the day in dominant fashion, securing pole position and leading for much of the race. His Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was dialed in, allowing him to control the pace for 51 laps.
However, as the race wore on tire management became a critical factor. O’Ward opted for Firestone’s primary compound tires during his final pit stop, prioritizing durability over outright speed but this decision left him vulnerable to Alex Palou’s aggressive strategy.
Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, started third but quickly established himself as a contender. His team executed a bold plan by fitting his car with softer alternate tires during the final stint.
This choice proved decisive as Palou’s superior grip allowed him to close a nine-second gap to O’Ward in just five laps. The Spaniard’s relentless pace culminated in a dramatic overtake on Lap 56, where he dove under O’Ward at Turn 7 to seize the lead.
From there, Palou extended his advantage to over 10 seconds by the checkered flag, securing the Thermal Club IndyCar win to mark his second consecutive victory of the 2025 IndyCar season and his 13th career win.
Christian Lundgaard also had a strong showing, rounding out the podium for Arrow McLaren. Starting from the front row alongside O’Ward, Lundgaard demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the race.
The Danish driver engaged in an intense battle with Palou late in the event but ultimately settled for third place after being overtaken on Lap 50. His performance highlighted Arrow McLaren’s competitiveness as they placed two cars in the top three.
Meanwhile Colton Herta and Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five for Andretti Global and Meyer Shank Racing, respectively. Herta delivered a consistent performance while Rosenqvist capitalized on strategic calls to secure valuable points for his team.
READ ALSO: 2025 Thermal Club Grand Prix Race Results
Further down the order, Will Power and Josef Newgarden salvaged respectable results despite challenging qualifying sessions. Power finished sixth after navigating through traffic efficiently, while Newgarden climbed to 13th after starting near the back of the grid.
Their Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin endured a nightmare race, spinning at the start and later retiring due to a hybrid system failure. He finished last in 27th place.
Marcus Armstrong impressed with a seventh-place finish for Chip Ganassi Racing, continuing his steady rise in form while Alexander Rossi managed ninth place for Arrow McLaren despite leading only one lap during an alternate strategy phase.
Scott Dixon rounded out the top ten with a solid drive that demonstrated his trademark consistency.
Further back in the field, Graham Rahal and Christian Rasmussen finished just outside the top ten in 11th and 12th positions respectively. Rookie drivers like Kyffin Simpson and Nolan Siegel gained valuable experience but struggled to match the pace of their more seasoned counterparts.
The abrasive nature of the Thermal Club circuit played a significant role in shaping race strategies as drivers were forced to make four pit stops due to accelerated tire wear on Firestone compounds.
While fresh rubber provided an edge in lap times, teams had to carefully manage their tire allocations throughout the weekend.
The race was notable for being caution-free—a rarity in modern IndyCar racing—allowing teams to fully execute their strategies without interruptions. This uninterrupted flow magnified the importance of pit stop execution and tire management.
As Alex Palou celebrated a commanding 2025 Thermal Club IndyCar win, he extended his lead in the championship standings by 39 points over Pato O’Ward.
With two wins from two races this season, Palou has firmly established himself as the driver to beat in the 2025 IndyCar Series. His remarkable ability to combine speed with strategic acumen has left rivals searching for answers.
As the series heads next to Long Beach for its iconic street circuit event, all eyes will be on whether anyone can disrupt Palou’s momentum or if he will continue his march toward another championship.
