Griffis Test Notebook: Drivers Savor Chance To Learn From Alex Palou
Young drivers in the INDY NXT series recently had the opportunity to test alongside IndyCar champion Alex Palou. The participants viewed the session as a valuable learning experience to measure their performance against a top-tier driver in identical machinery.
Why it matters
Highlights the developmental pathways in professional motorsports and the value of mentorship for emerging athletes.
There aren't many opportunities for INDY NXT by Firestone drivers to share a track with a generational talent like Alex Palou.
The Chris Griffis Memorial Test on Friday, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager who died suddenly in September 2011, was one of them.
Palou (photo, top) turned a lap of 1 minute, 14.5050 seconds on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course, topping the 22-driver field in Friday's session.
Some might view Palou's presence as an opportunity to steal the spotlight. The INDY NXT drivers saw it differently. With their futures potentially taking shape during the test, they welcomed the chance to measure themselves against the five-time INDYCAR SERIES champion in identical machinery.
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