The first race of the 2025 IndyCar season took place on Sunday afternoon under picture perfect skies on the shores of St. Petersburg, Florida.
27 drivers took the green flag, including two racing for the series’ newest team PREMA. But only one driver was able to take victory at the end of the 100-lap event.
In what is a recurring theme in IndyCar, Alex Palou was able to put on a clinic and took victory to open the season.
READ MORE: IndyCar St. Pete – Full Race Results
His methodical driving skills allowed him to take care of his tires better than his competitors, and he used the strength that was left in his car to fend off a charging Josef Newgarden in the closing laps despite lapped traffic causing issues.
Despite looking like he was going to challenge for the win in the final 10 laps, Josef Newgarden dropped off the pace dramatically in the final lap.
He revealed after the race that he had fuel miscues, which caused his pit box to call him over the radio with instructions to back way off the pace so he could make it to the finish line.
Newgarden’s sudden ‘emergency mode’ call allowed Scott Dixon to overtake him and claim the second spot on the podium.
Dixon ran the entire race with no radio communication, and he felt that he could have secured the victory himself if he were able to pit at the optimal times.
The fuel miscalculation and radio troubles were the small details that ultimately determined the order of the podium in a close battle.
Early trouble
The race was barely underway before a large incident brought out the full course yellow.
As the field of 27 drivers roared through the first couple turns, track space became a premium and cars began bumping off one another.
By Turn 3, it all came to a head. Nolan Siegel had to check up for traffic ahead and was run into by Will Power.
Both drivers spun into the wall hard, with rookie Louis Foster also spinning amid the chaos as the rest of the field attempted to avoid the chaos.
All three drivers were forced to retire on the spot, having completed zero laps in the 2025 season.
The early caution meant that drivers who started on the soft compound were able to pit on the third lap to get rid of the inferior tires. All but nine drivers took the opportunity, leading to split strategies for the remainder of the race.
Once the green flags flew for a second time, the race continued without interruption for the rest of the event.
A few drivers attempted to make the soft Guayule Firestone tires last 30 laps, splitting the 100-lap race into roughly three equal parts.
That strategy did not work well, however, and they all had to come in again to change tires less than 10 laps later.
Pato O’Ward stayed on the soft tires longer than any other driver, 20 laps on a single stint. It is even more surprising that he was able to climb through the field as quickly as he did.
The young star began the race in 23rd, but worked his way up to 11th by the checkered flag. O’Ward was the most improved driver on the day.
Drivers return to the track in three weeks when the series visits The Thermal Club for a points-paying round at the luxurious club track.
