Palou Aims for IndyCar Pole Record at Honda Indy 200 Mid-Ohio

Alex Palou is set to compete in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio this weekend, aiming to extend his impressive streak of five consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole positions. If he secures pole position, he will tie Alex Zanardi's record of six consecutive poles, a feat last achieved in 1996-1997. Palou also holds a significant 60-point lead in the championship standings, having already secured four wins this season.

Driver Achievements and Records

Alex Palou, driving the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, has achieved five consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole positions leading into the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Should he qualify on pole this weekend, he would match Alex Zanardi's record of six consecutive poles, set in 1996-1997 with Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou's strong performance this season includes four wins and a 60-point championship lead after the recent Road America event.

Scott Dixon, winner of the 2025 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, is pursuing his eighth victory at the 2.258-mile circuit. Seven of Dixon's wins at Mid-Ohio have been with Honda power. His 2025 win extended his streak to 21 consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES seasons with at least one victory. Dixon's previous Mid-Ohio wins occurred in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2025.

Acura's Presence and History

Meyer Shank Racing's Marcus Armstrong will compete in Acura colors at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Acura-backed Honda-powered Indy cars have recorded two top-five finishes this season. Felix Rosenqvist secured pole position at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and finished second, while Marcus Armstrong achieved a fifth-place finish at the Indianapolis 500.

Acura first appeared on an Indy car in 1994 with Comptech Racing and driver Parker Johnstone. The brand also featured on Jack Harvey's car in 2019. This year, Acura is engaging with the IndyCar series to commemorate its 40th anniversary and introduce the brand to a broader audience within the sport.

Honda's Ohio Connection

Honda maintains a long-standing presence in Ohio, both as an automaker and within the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Honda drivers have won 13 of the 20 IndyCar races held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course since the event returned under the Honda Indy 200 banner in 2007. Scott Dixon's 2025 victory marks the most recent Honda win at the circuit.

Other notable Honda victories at Mid-Ohio include Colton Herta's win in 2020, which contributed to a Honda sweep of the top five finishing positions. In 2019, Honda achieved a podium sweep, with Dixon securing his fifth Mid-Ohio win. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is located over 60 miles from Honda's Marysville and East Liberty Auto Plants, as well as Honda Research & Development facilities. More than 400,000 Honda and Acura automobiles are produced in Ohio annually, alongside research and design activities for various Honda products, from lawnmowers to the HondaJet.

The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio underscores Honda's deep roots in both motorsports and manufacturing within the state of Ohio. The event provides a platform to showcase driver talent and the brand's engineering capabilities, while also highlighting its significant economic presence in the region.