Alex Palou says “it was a hell of a race” after the Spaniard drove to third place in the PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway.
The 2021 IndyCar champion performed admirably in Texas and moved up four spots in the race.
Palou qualified in P7 and was beaten by his Ganassi team mates Takuma Sato and Scott Dixon.
Palou said to Pit Debrief and other media outlets: “It was a hell of a race. I had a lot of fun with most of the drivers.
“I’m super happy. Really, really happy as if I won today. Honestly, I did not expect that.
“I had a lot of fun. I agree with Pato that it was really fun when you had a driver that you could trust. Hopefully we gave the fans what they deserved.”
Palou has lacked raw speed at Texas prior to his podium this season but said he felt comfortable in the car all weekend.
“It’s a place that I struggled a lot in the past. But yesterday I felt confident, and also today as the race started, like the car was good.”
Palou’s third place at Texas marks his first podium on an oval since the 2021 Indy 500 and his first top three finish at Texas.
The 26-year-old is delighted with his performance on the 1.5 mile oval: “(I’m) super excited with the race that we did in the No. 10 car.”
Palou shed light on the commitment needed to pass cars on an oval.
“You have no other option. You just put your right foot there and close a little bit one eye. You hold everything tight, that’s it.”
He now lies fifth in the championship after two rounds ahead of round three at Long Beach.
The Spaniard performed well at Long Beach last season taking third place for Chip Ganassi.
