Alex Palou looking to expand ‘Be the One’ reach while setting sights on Indy 500

The 2023 INDYCAR SERIES gets underway this weekend with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida. The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) are again partnering this season, with CGR’s drivers featuring American Legion branding through the year.

This weekend, 2021 INDYCAR SERIES champ Alex Palou will be driving the No. 10 American Legion “Be the One” livery, sharing with millions of racing fans the Legion’s suicide-prevention initiative.

Earlier this year, Palou sat down with American Legion Social Media Manager Steven B. Brooks to talk about the upcoming season, including his goals and what it’s like to share the Legion’s “Be the One” on his livery throughout the season.

The American Legion: You’ve driven The American Legion car a handful of times during the two previous seasons. Now that’s going to be expanded this season, with the focus on “Be the One.” What does it mean to you to have that livery and be representing The American Legion when you’re out on the track in car?

Alex Palou: For me, especially, I feel honored. I think the progress we’ve had with the relationship, we started with two races in 2021, and then a lot more races in 2022, and now in 2023 being the primary (sponsor) in the car, it gives us the opportunity to put in more work and try to get to more people. Last year, when we started with the ‘Be the One’ campaign, it was pretty motivational for a guy that not only represents a company or a sponsor but can represent more people and try to directly help people. It’s been special, and I can’t wait to try to put in more work and try to help more people.

Question: You’ve been able to meet with members of The American Legion at various races throughout the past two years. What has that interaction meant, being able to actually look into the eyes of the people you’re representing on the car, and how much are you looking forward to doing that this season?

Palou: When you can represent a group, and you can meet them and interact more with them, it makes it more special and more satisfying. You can see the work that you’re putting in and all the team … and meet The American Legion members that are pushing for you. When I meet people at the racetracks, some veterans, they come and I show the car and we talk a little bit about the race, that’s when I really get the interaction with them. It’s quite good and quite satisfying when you can meet the people that you are helping and the people you are working with.

Question: INDYCAR has a large and diverse audience. How important is it to get that “Be the One” message out about the number of veteran suicides that are happening daily and what someone can do at the local level to help?

Palou: When you hear the actual (veteran suicide) numbers from each day, it’s quite brutal. We’re just trying to help people to help people. Because that’s the way that it can improve a lot, if each one can help even one person, if we all do that, we can help a lot of persons. I think the ‘Be the One’ campaign worked a lot last year and was easy to understand for people and what you can actually do as an individual.

Question: How does it feel that you’re one of the ones sharing that message and providing that education, and possibly making a difference in the life of a veteran?

Palou: I think I’m lucky to have that voice. It could be that you want to have that voice, but you can’t reach people. I’m lucky to be in the position I am, to be able to go to some events, to some races, do a lot of interviews … and try to help. If I can help one person, that will mean a lot more than everything else in life. I think with the relationship we have now with The American Legion and INDY and Ganassi, we’re helping and we’re reaching a lot of people.

Question: You’ve had a pretty impressive two-year run, winning the INDYCAR SERIES championship two years ago and finishing fifth last year. What are the goals this year, as an individual driver and as part of the team?

Palou: Win. We were successful in 2021, we were really successful in the beginning of 2022, but we were unable to maximize everything. We would get a lot of podiums but no wins until the end of the season. That hurts you a lot, because the difference between winning and finishing second or third is brutal. We’ve got some things together for this year, we’ve got some more experience, we’ve got a lot of confidence and a group of guys we’re working with that are really, really strong. I feel confident to go out and win the Indy 500 and win the (series) championship. Obviously, I have one championship, but that just created a hunger for more. But the thing that comes first is the Indianapolis 500. It’s the biggest race of our season and of motorsport racing, and I need to win that race.”