Fresh off his momentous victory at the Indianapolis 500, Alex Palou, the three-time IndyCar Series champion, has expressed a keen interest in exploring a new racing challenge: NASCAR. While he's firmly set his sights on continuing his dominance in IndyCar, the allure of competing in a NASCAR road course event has certainly piqued his interest.

Palou's recent comments on Kevin Harvick's "Happy Hour" podcast have ignited excitement among racing fans. When asked about the possibility of racing on a NASCAR road course, the Spaniard responded with an emphatic "Absolutely!" He elaborated, expressing his enthusiasm for the prospect, acknowledging the distinct characteristics of NASCAR cars and racing style. Palou, however, is realistic about his chances on ovals, admitting he would likely "get smashed" by seasoned NASCAR oval racers, but he would relish the opportunity to test his skills on a road or street course.

The 28-year-old's background predominantly lies in road and street course racing. Before joining IndyCar in 2020, his experience was largely confined to these types of circuits, a factor that contributed to his rapid ascent in the American open-wheel racing scene. In fact, prior to his recent Indy 500 triumph, all of his IndyCar victories had been on road or street courses. This makes his interest in NASCAR road courses a natural extension of his racing expertise.

Palou's recent Indy 500 victory marked a significant milestone. Not only was it his first win on an oval track, but it also made him the first Spanish driver to ever win the prestigious race. This win adds to his already impressive resume, which includes IndyCar Series championships in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Currently in the 2025 season, Palou is showing no signs of slowing down, securing five victories in the first six races.

While a full-time switch to NASCAR seems unlikely, a one-off appearance on a road course isn't out of the question. Palou seems content with his IndyCar career. He stated that Formula 1 "is not calling me anymore", and emphasized that he is having more fun in IndyCar. He values the close-knit community and the ability to celebrate with family and team members, something he feels is less prevalent in Formula 1.

One potential avenue for Palou to enter the NASCAR world could be through Trackhouse Racing's PROJECT91. This initiative provides opportunities for world-class drivers from other racing disciplines to compete in select NASCAR Cup Series races. Given Palou's talent and his expressed interest in road course racing, he could be a strong candidate for this program.

Alex Palou's interest in NASCAR road course racing adds another layer of intrigue to his already captivating career. While his primary focus remains on dominating the IndyCar Series, the possibility of seeing him behind the wheel of a stock car on a twisty road course is an enticing prospect for racing fans worldwide.