IndyCar star Alex Palou reflects on ‘incredible’ White House, Oval Office visit
Reflecting on his historic invitation to the White House, IndyCar star Alex Palou described the unique experience of visiting the Oval Office and meeting the president. As drivers prepare to race around Capitol Hill, Alex recalled the memorable moment he was sprayed with ‘presidential cologne’ and looks forward to a highly strategic, multi-lap event.
Alex Palou may not be from the United States, but his trip to the White House and seeing the Oval Office is something he hopes to tell his grandchildren about some day.
Palou and other NTT INDYCAR SERIES stars will make history this weekend in Washington, D.C., as the first-ever auto race around the National Mall will take place. A 1.7-mile circuit, which involves driving down Pennsylvania Avenue and seeing tons of national landmarks, will make up the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Before the race takes place, Palou and other drivers including Pato O’Ward and Graham Rahal took time to answer questions on Thursday. Palou was among those who were able to visit President Donald Trump in the White House in July ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
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President Donald Trump receives a racing helmet from reigning IndyCar series champion Alex Palou at a Freedom 250 Grand Prix showcase on West Executive Avenue between the West Wing of the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix car race, Aug. 22 and 23 on the National Mall, is part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (Getty Images)
Palou, who hails from Spain, was asked about his experience, and he knew the right word to describe it.
“Incredible,” he responded. “Honestly, that’s the only word that comes to mind. I remember the visit we did a month ago when I got invited to the White House. I was like, ‘Really? For real?’ I was going to be able to go inside and just see how the Oval Office is, and just knowing the history that it has.
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“I know I’m not from this country, but this country has given me so much. Just the opportunity to be here as an IndyCar driver, a winner, a champion, and to create a family and build a family here in the U.S. It’s been incredible.”
Palou even had a moment where he got sprayed with the president’s cologne.
“Just being able to be with the President and his team, being at the Oval Office. We got sprayed with Presidential cologne, which was pretty funny,” he said. “Just an incredible experience. An experience I’ll be able to tell not only my kids, but hopefully one day my grandkids and stuff.”
Palou said he grew up watching movies where he was fascinated by the Oval Office being on his screen. He also remembered seeing Capitol Hill while watching as well.
President Donald Trump receives a racing helmet from reigning IndyCar series champion Alex Palou as Penske Corporation CEO Roger Penske looks on at a Freedom 250 Grand Prix showcase on West Executive Avenue in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 2026. The IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix race is scheduled for Aug. 22 and 23 on the National Mall as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. (Getty Images)
The fact that he’s not only seen these places up close and personal, but he’s racing by the landmarks, is something he’s really looking forward to.
“To know that we’re going to be racing around it — it’s going to be incredible,” he added.
Palou, 29, is the sport’s top driver, as he’s very likely to win his fifth season championship in a month, and fourth straight. In fact, he’s won at least one of every four IndyCar races over the past six seasons.
Only Sebastien Bourdais was able to win four straight season championships from 2004-07. Palou’s 542 points has created a staggering gap between the closest driver, Kyle Kirkwood, who has 409 points.
In his 14 starts this season, Palou has six wins, 11 top-five finishes and 12 top-10 finishes.
IndyCar drivers (from left) David Malukas, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alex Palou visited the White House this week. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)
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But while everyone will be excited to watch him race around the National Mall this weekend, he’s excited for the rest of his peers to experience it together.
“Super excited like everyone to go out on the track and see how it’s going to race. It looks really, really promising with so many laps we’re going to do. It’s going to be a super interesting race with lots of changes on strategies with leads and stuff. I can’t wait to go out,” he said.
