Five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou is set to participate in next weekend’s Indianapolis 8 Hour, with Mercedes-AMG squad Lone Star Racing.
The 29-year-old will share the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO with Luca Stolz and Lin Hodenius, as he makes his second start in the Intercontinental GT Challenge finale. Palou previously participated in the Indy 8 Hour in 2024, also with Lone Star Racing.
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a special place for me, and I am excited to be returning for another shot at the Indianapolis 8 Hour with Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing,” Palou said.
“I have some unfinished business from my 2024 GT3 outing, so I am really happy to reunite with the team to have another opportunity to aim for the race win. I always love the atmosphere and the fans there, and I look forward to having an exciting race to finish the 2026 season with hopefully another memorable trophy!”
The #80 Mercedes-AMG will form part of a two-car Pro class effort from the three-pointed star, with Mikaël Grenier, Michai Stephens and Maxime Martin driving the #34 Mercedes-AMG Team JMF Motorsports AMG GT3 EVO.
Stolz and Martin will be competing for the 2026 IGTC Drivers’ Championship, with the pair currently seven and eight points behind leader Maro Engel. Engel will be absent from the Brickyard, due to his clashing DTM commitments.
JMF Motorsports will also be seeking to wrap-up the GT World Challenge America Pro titles, with the #34 AMG GT3 EVO leading both the Drivers’, with Grenier/Stephens, and Teams’ championships by nine points.
The 2026 Indianapolis 8 Hour, the final round of the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge and GT World Challenge America seasons, will be held on 8th to 10th October 2026.
Image courtesy of Gruppe C Photography
