INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Palou senses a change among IndyCar fans these days.
Instead of hearing the warm, roaring cheers like other great champions and popular personalities of the American open-wheel series, Palou has started hearing a different chorus from the crowd: boos.
No, it’s not an overwhelming sentiment, yet, but the 29-year-old Spaniard got a first-hand glimpse of what could lie ahead earlier this month during the parade lap of the Sonsio Grand Prix, which is held on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Of course, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver who has won three straight series titles and leads the championship points standings as he seeks his fifth in six years understands why it’s happening — fans are weary of seeing him reach victory lane race after race — even though Palou isn’t tired of winning.
“It was the first time I heard the boos, like, from multiple sections, and I was like, ‘All right,'” he said at a recent practice day for this Sunday’s sold-out Indianapolis 500. “I think till now, it’s been very friendly, and now it’s getting like more toward boos. But I think it’s good, you need to have that. We’re getting booed for being successful and for doing the right thing.”