3-time Indy Car Champ ready to roll at Barber

Alex Palou always has a big smile on his face when he talks about two things.

Racing at Barber Motorsports Park. And his 17-month-old daughter Lucia.

Palou got his first IndyCar Series win at Barber in 2021, taking the checkers at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix. He went on to win the first of three IndyCar Series championships driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.

“That’s how we started, right?” said Palou. “It was actually my first race also with the team at Barber, There was something about the track I just loved. since the beginning. It’s really similar to the tracks we have in Europe where I grew up racing, so it was quite easy to get used to it. But it’s so much fun with the elevation changes, high speed corners. It makes for super fun racing always.”

The last two years the title has gone to Penske Racing and Scott McLaughlin. Don’t be surprised if the finish comes down to McLaughlin and Palou Sunday.

In addition to the three championships Palou has won since taking the checkered flag at Barber in 2021, something else big happened in his life. He and his wife Esther became the proud parents of Lucia, born December 4, 2023.

“It’s interesting,” Palou said. “It’s hard. It’s hard. But it’s the best thing in life. I’ve been lucky enough to experience a lot of time at home with the baby. Even though I’m busy with racing, I can still stay with her a long time and it’s the best thing in life. We’re having so much fun. We’re really blessed. And she is awesome.”

The green flag falls on the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix Sunday at 12:52.