The 2025 IndyCar season is underway following a fascinating race St. Pete on Sunday, and it’s the usual suspects at the sharp end in the championship standings for the most part.
Three-time champion Alex Palou of Spain kick-started his title defence in style by winning. The CGR driver is aiming for a third consecutive title in 2025.
After a very strong weekend in qualifying and the race, Scott Dixon finished P2. The win was his but traffic and having no radio ultimately cost him. Nonetheless, the six-time champion made a great start to 2025.
Two-time IndyCar and Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden had a much-needed strong result after difficulties on road and street courses over the last couple of years, finishing P3 despite some issues on the final lap. Team Penske teammate and polesitter Scott McLaughlin led the most laps but strategy went against him thanks to the lap 1 caution. He is tied with his teammate on 36.
Kirkwood, Ericsson, Rosenqvist, Lundgaard, a very impressive VeeKay and Rossi completed the top 10. The Dutchman’s P9 was Dale Coyne Racing’s first finish in the top 10 since Portland 2023.
A tough day for O’Ward, Herta and Power as they are outside the top 10 of the standings following St. Pete
However, three of the predicted title contenders did not have a good day. A puncture for Pato O’Ward set him back. Yet, the Mexican driver did a superb job to recover to P11.
Andretti not getting the correct amount of fuel in at his second stop killed Colton Herta’s race. That came as a slow change of the right rear was happening as well. A P16 finish was brutal as he held the net lead at one stage.
While his teammates finished in very strong positions, Will Power was out at turn 3. The Australian clobbered Nolan Siegel in the Arrow McLaren. Dixon and Palou were slow through turns 2 and 3 as they tried to avoid contact, leading to cars behind having to check-up. It leaves him 46 points behind Palou already.
2025 IndyCar championship standings and results after St. Pete
