IndyCar: Alex Palou to drive for Dale Coyne Racing in 2020

Former Japanese Super Formula driver Alex Palou is set to drive for Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh in the 2020 IndyCar season.

Shortly after Dale Coyne Racing confirmed that four-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais would not be returning to the team for the 2020 IndyCar season, team owner Dale Coyne revealed his shortlist of possible replacements.

There were three drivers who made it onto Coyne’s list and a fourth he refused to name. Those three drivers were James Hinchcliffe, Sergio Sette Camara and Alex Palou.

Just over two weeks later, the team have confirmed that Palou is slated to replace Bourdais in 2020.

More from IndyCar

The 22-year-old Spaniard is officially slated to drive an entry fielded by Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh, a Japanese auto racing team owned by Kazumichi Goh.

While Bourdais drove the #18 Honda from 2017 to 2019, Palou’s car number for next year has not yet been confirmed.

Palou tested for Dale Coyne Racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course back in July, logging 102 laps around the 13-turn, 2.258-mile (3.634-kilometer) natural terrain road course in Lexington, Ohio.

Palou confirmed this news on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/AlexPalou/status/1207714725682917376

Here is what he had to say about this opportunity, according to Motorsport.

"“I’m very excited about coming to America to race Indy cars. 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.”"

Here is what Coyne had to add.

"“We’re very pleased to partner with our friend of many years Kazumichi Goh in this collaborative effort for 2020. 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.”"

Here is what Goh had to say.

"“Alex shows great promise and we all are excited to continue our relationship with Alex to see him progress his career towards IndyCar series. It will be an honor to be part of Indianapolis 500, the greatest spectacle in racing, and we hope to have the same success we achieved at Le Mans 24-hour race by great team collaboration between Alex and Dale Coyne Racing.”"

Dale Coyne Racing have not yet confirmed their entire driver lineup for the 2020 season, but it has been long speculated that Santino Ferrucci, who had an impressive rookie year in 2019, will back behind the wheel of the #19 Honda.

They will likely stick with two cars despite speculation that they could add a third seat for Hinchcliffe, speculation that began even before Bourdais lost his ride.

As far as rookies are concerned, Palou is the third confirmed full-time rookie. 2019 Indy Lights champion Oliver Askew is set to drive for Arrow McLaren SP while runner-up Rinus VeeKay is set to drive for Ed Carpenter Racing.

Palou is slated to enter IndyCar following a successful first season competing in Japanese Super Formula. He finished in third place in the championship standings with one win in the seven-race 2019 campaign driving for TCS Nakajima Racing.

Next. Top 10 IndyCar drivers of all-time. dark

How will Alex Palou perform in his rookie IndyCar season? The 17-race 2020 season is scheduled to get underway in just under three months on Sunday, March 15 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network from the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.