Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014
Even when driving for a team as strong as Chip Ganassi Racing, being able to finish in the top three in half the season’s races is a stellar achievement in a championship as wickedly tight as the IndyCar Series right now. And when three of those eight podium visits see you standing on the centre step, that’s a championship right there.
And that’s exactly what 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou delivered. But how did a veteran of just 14 series starts coming into this season achieve such astounding consistency? Well, there seems little doubt that part of his (open) secret to success is his astonishing ability to stay out of trouble, to make great judgment calls on what is and isn’t feasible in the heat of battle, and to remember that Chip Ganassi – like most team owners – prefers you to bring home a certain second place rather than stick it in the wall going for a possible win.
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