Alex Palou Jumping to IndyCar, Dale Coyne Racing in 2020

The NTT IndyCar Series will have another new face on the paddock in 2020, as Alex Palou, 22, will drive the entry under the team name Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh, the team announced Wednesday, Dec. 19.

In 2019, Palou drove in the Japanese Super Formula Series with TCS Nakajima Racing, where he scored one race win, three pole positions and finished third in the final standings. He also was the highest-placing rookie in the standings.

“I’m very excited about coming to America to race Indy cars,” Palou said in a team release. “I’m grateful for all that have helped me get to this point of my career and especially Dale Coyne and Mr. Kazumichi Goh for giving me this opportunity.”

? Speechless ?

I’ll be driving in Indy Car next season for Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh. Can’t thank enough all humans that made this possible. ?

Dreams do come true! ?#IndyCar ?? pic.twitter.com/xhS12Sy1Ka

— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) December 19, 2019

“We’re very pleased to partner with our friend of many years Kazumichi Goh in this collaborative effort for 2020,” team owner Dale Coyne said. “We tested Alex at Mid-Ohio earlier this year and he impressed everyone. His rise in performance over the past three years shows great promise for the future.”

Team Goh won the 1996 Japanese Grand Touring Championship (JGTC) and won the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans with Seiji Ara, Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello.

Flying back to Japan, with a big smile on my face after rocking around 100 laps for the first time in a IndyCar. I want more! ??#TrueHappiness pic.twitter.com/oFS5Ck4bAg

— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 30, 2019

Palou is also the first driver announcement for Dale Coyne Racing. The team parted ways with Sebastien Bourdais last month, and it is expected that Santino Ferrucci will return, but nothing has been made official at this time.