Alex Palou, the reigning five-time IndyCar Series Champion and winner of the 109th Indianapolis 500 in 2025, will be testing an INDY NXT car at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He is stepping in for Carson Etter, who is sidelined following shoulder surgery in September. Chip Ganassi Racing enlisted Palou to assist with car setup feedback on the Indianapolis road course, aiding the team during Etter’s recovery period.

Palou highlighted the challenge of switching from his usual high-downforce, powerful IndyCar to the smaller, less powerful INDY NXT vehicle, which features reduced downforce and different braking characteristics. Despite these discrepancies, Palou expressed enthusiasm about helping the team and testing the car's capabilities, leveraging his familiarity with the track. His insights are expected to provide valuable data for the Chip Ganassi Racing INDY NXT team, which also includes drivers Alessandro de Tullio, Alexander Korieba, and Frankie Mossman.

Importantly, this test is purely for developmental purposes and does not signal any career change for Palou. Since his IndyCar Series debut in 2020 with Dale Coyne Racing before moving to Ganassi, Palou has secured 25 race wins and five consecutive championships. His background includes experience in Japan's junior formula series, and this will mark his first time driving an INDY NXT car, which he compared to the current Formula 3 cars he drove nearly a decade ago.

Aside from this INDY NXT test, Palou is also involved in testing the IR-28, the new IndyCar model set for competition in 2028. His participation in different testing programs demonstrates his commitment to contributing to his team’s future success and gaining broader technical experience, even while he remains firmly focused on his primary career within the top-tier IndyCar series.