(DETROIT, MI.) – Four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou claimed his 23rd career victory today at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on the Streets of Detroit, converting pole position into his 4th win out of 8 races in the 2026 IndyCar season after surviving strategy swings, six cautions, and late pressure from Kyle Kirkwood and winning by 3.0584 seconds.

Palou in the No. 10 HRC Chip Ganassi Racing Honda led 71 of 100 laps, retaking the lead with 20 laps to go after a fierce mid‑race exchange with defending Detroit winner Kyle Kirkwood in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda of Andretti Global.

Race Results

“It feels like the first time, honestly” Palou said. “It was a tough one, a very tough one. But the team did an incredible job once again with the strategy. The pit stops were incredible. Incredible run, incredible start of the year, but it was tough.”

• 1st — Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) Dominated the race from pole, survived multiple restarts, and controlled the closing laps.
• 2nd — Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) Took the lead briefly after Lap 67 and applied late pressure, ultimately finishing 3.0584 seconds behind Palou.
• 3rd — Graham Rahal (No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) Recovered from an early spin to secure his third podium of the season.

Starting from pole, Palou held command through the opening stint, managing pace and tire wear on Detroit’s tight 1.645‑mile street circuit. With 20 laps remaining, Palou executed a clean overtake to reclaim the lead and never looked back.

“We took a little bit of a gamble on tires there, being the only guy on reds (alternates) at the end,” Kirkwood said. “It nearly paid off. It was so, so close. There were two untimely yellows.

 

“We almost covered Palou when we were on primes, which would have been phenomenal, and then we had that other yellow where I had him lined up. I was ready to make a dive on him, and, of course, (the yellow) comes out after I burned 10 seconds of overtake. From there, we just didn’t really have another shot at it. I think I just used up my tires too much to make that one pass.”

The race featured six cautions, creating repeated restarts and major strategy shakeups.

• Palou briefly lost the lead under caution.
• Kirkwood capitalized on the restart, taking the lead on Lap 67.

• His fourth win in eight starts strengthens his championship lead.
• Detroit becomes his second career victory on the downtown layout, following his 2023 win.
• His qualifying and race sweep underscores Ganassi’s street‑course strength.

With momentum firmly on his side, Palou heads into the next round as the clear championship favorite. Kirkwood’s strong form suggests the rivalry will continue, while Rahal’s podium signals RLL’s growing consistency.

Up Next: Bommarito Automotive Group 500, Practice #1 Saturday June 6th 12:30 PM/ET