IndyCar 2025 Awards Ceremony Highlights: Pato O’Ward unexpectedly sends a special message of respect to Alex Palou, placing him on par with a legend and causing the entire racing world to talk

INDIANAPOLIS – The glitz and glamour of the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series Victory Lap Championship Celebration lit up the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis on September 16, drawing a constellation of racing royalty under one roof. As the Astor Cup gleamed under the spotlights, the evening unfolded as a tapestry of triumphs, near-misses, and heartfelt tributes. But amid the polished speeches and clinking glasses, it was a raw, unscripted moment from Pato O’Ward that stole the show, sending ripples of admiration and speculation across the motorsport universe.

The ceremony, a fitting capstone to a season defined by blistering speed and unbreakable rivalries, honored the grid’s elite. Alex Palou, the undisputed maestro of the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, claimed his fourth championship in five years – a feat that etched his name deeper into IndyCar lore. With eight victories, including a masterful Indy 500 triumph, Palou’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass in dominance, outpacing the field by a staggering 196 points. His third consecutive title tied him with legends like Sebastien Bourdais and Dario Franchitti, while whispers of A.J. Foyt comparisons began to circulate. Palou accepted the Astor Cup with characteristic humility, thanking his Ganassi family and vowing to chase an unprecedented fifth crown in 2026. “It’s going to be challenging to maintain this form,” he admitted, “but I’m excited to fight again.”

Palou wasn’t the only one basking in glory. Scott Dixon, the evergreen Ganassi stalwart, snagged third in the standings and added the Rookie of the Year award for his young teammate Linus Lundqvist to his trophy case – a nod to Dixon’s enduring mentorship. Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global celebrated a career-best fourth place, fueled by three wins that showcased his road-course wizardry. Christian Lundqvist rounded out the top five, his steady ascent a bright spot for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Off the track, awards flowed freely: Colton Herta earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year for his oval prowess, while Graham Rahal’s sportsmanship shone through a mid-season charity drive that raised over $500,000 for pediatric cancer research.

Yet, as the evening’s highlights reel played – from Palou’s Indy 500 milk-less victory lap to O’Ward’s hybrid-era breakthrough at Mid-Ohio – the air thickened with anticipation for the runner-up’s address. Pato O’Ward, the 26-year-old Mexican phenom from Arrow McLaren, had clawed his way to second place with three hard-fought wins, including a gritty defense at Milwaukee Mile. His season was a redemption arc, transforming early stumbles like an 11th at St. Petersburg into a relentless pursuit that kept fans glued to their screens. Entering the finale at Portland, O’Ward trailed by 121 points, only for a cruel electrical gremlin to relegate him to 25th, handing Palou the title on a silver platter.

When O’Ward took the stage, microphone in hand, the room hushed. Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo that mirrored his on-track precision, he began with gratitude for his McLaren crew – the unsung heroes who turned wrenches into wonders. “These guys gave me everything,” he said, voice steady but eyes alight. “From Thermal Club to Toronto, we pushed limits I didn’t know existed.” The crowd nodded, remembering his Toronto masterstroke: a tire-strategy gamble that sliced Palou’s lead by 30 points, igniting faint championship embers.

Then came the pivot, unexpected and electric. O’Ward turned his gaze to the Ganassi table, locking eyes with Palou. “Alex,” he began, a grin breaking through, “dude, you’re cooking, bro. These guys at Chip Ganassi Racing, in your No. 10, you raise the bar again and again. Everyone’s chasing that shadow.” Laughter rippled, but O’Ward’s tone shifted to reverence. “You took the Indy 500, you took the championship. But I’m very proud to be part of IndyCar, proud to be part of a group of drivers – we all respect each other, and we all love going racing.”

The room leaned in as O’Ward delved deeper, his words weaving Palou into the pantheon. “Look, I’ve raced against the best – Dixon, Newgarden, Rossi. But Alex? You’re on another level. Four titles in five years? That’s not just winning; that’s redefining what IndyCar means. You’re the A.J. Foyt of our era – the guy who doesn’t just show up, but who makes the whole series better by forcing us to evolve.” Gasps mingled with applause; comparing Palou to Foyt, IndyCar’s four-time champ and oval immortal, was no small invocation. Foyt himself, watching from the VIP balcony, raised a glass in silent approval.

Palou, caught off-guard, flushed under the lights. He stood, pulling O’Ward into a bear hug that spoke volumes of their mutual regard. “Pato, that means the world,” Palou replied later in a sidebar interview. “Coming from you – the guy who made me sweat every lap – it’s humbling.” The embrace lingered in viral clips, amassing millions of views overnight. Social media erupted: #PalouFoyt trended globally, with fans debating if Palou’s road-course supremacy could eclipse Foyt’s brute-force legacy. Pundits on SiriusXM IndyCar Radio called it “the speech of the decade,” while The Athletic’s Marshall Pruett dubbed O’Ward “the poet laureate of the paddock.”

What made the moment seismic wasn’t just the flattery; it was the subtext. O’Ward, ever the firebrand, could’ve aired grievances – that Portland mishap, or Ganassi’s strategic edge. Instead, he chose elevation, framing Palou not as a rival to resent, but a benchmark to honor. “Hopefully next year, we make you sweat a little more,” O’Ward quipped, lightening the air. “This year was too easy.” The jab landed with affection, underscoring the brotherly bond forged in 200-mph battles.

The racing world, from Silverstone to Suzuka, took note. Formula 1 scouts, eyeing IndyCar’s hybrid innovations, praised the series’ camaraderie as a counterpoint to F1’s cutthroat vibe. McLaren CEO Zak Brown, O’Ward’s F1 liaison, tweeted: “Pato’s class on and off track is why he’s our future.” Even Foyt weighed in via Instagram: “Kid’s got it right. Palou’s a racer’s racer.”

As the night wound down with a fireworks display over the Speedway, the 2025 awards left an indelible mark. Palou’s hardware gleamed, but O’Ward’s words echoed louder – a reminder that in IndyCar, victory isn’t just about crossing the line first, but lifting those who chase you. With 2026 looming, the grid buzzes with promise: Can O’Ward dethrone the “new Foyt”? Will Dixon sneak a 10th title? One thing’s certain – after this ceremony, the series isn’t just racing; it’s a revolution. And the world can’t stop talking about it.