Tag: Alex Palou

IndyCar’s Big Day

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The venue looked immaculate. The area around the institutions of national government and culture had a new , well-built race track, and the fan zone and food court were laid out nicely. Entry was well organized and just a few steps from the Metro station.

Fans came in droves, and every are seemed area seemed packed wigth people.I talked to a group of race fans from Baltimore who were very excited to have race return to their part of the country. They had attended the Baltimore races and truly loved them. thei group is one segment of fan IndyCar is trying to recapture.

I talked to some other fans who have seen other forms of racing, and are attending their first IndyCar event. They liked what they had seen so far. All in all, today was a huge PR boost for the series.

Vor the serious fans, and I think this might be an issue tomorrow for the newer croad,, elements were lacking. There is dearth of video boards along the track itself. As in n one. No PA system was in place to keep fans informed. I am pretty sure not many new spectators have the IndyCar app, and for those of who did, it proved very unreliable.

I had no idea how qualifying was going. Several video boards are in the food area, and I get that. But if I wanted to watch the race without seeing the track, I would have stayed hoere is a paucity of bleachers, and if you leave your seat, you need to stand in line until enough people leave me.

Sightlines around the track are not great. Grandstands are few, and they were constantly full. People lined up waiting for a seat to open, and the person who left had to get back in line and wait to reenter.

While the day was a fantastic shot in the arm for IndyCar, I hope some improvements in fan information can be worrked out for tomorrow.

Qualifying

Alex Palou grabbed another pole as the series reverted to the single car street course Fast Six. Palou edged Kyle Kirkwood to set up afront row we have seen before this season.

Incredible,” Palou said. “Such a privilege to be racing here. Spectacular place, spectacular fans, as well. My car was on rails. Super-fun lap, super-fun car to drive. Couldn’t be happier. Looking forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, man, 250 miles.”

Rdesults

I will be leaving very early for the track tomorrow and I will have a brief race review tomorrow evening and a more complete report Monday night after I return home.

Markham Practice 1- New Track, Same Old Story

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Alex Palou turned the fastest lap in opening practice for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at the new Markham track. The next practice is at 2:30 pm Eastern.

I think the track is very cool. I love that turn 5 hairpin. What chaos awaits there.

Kyffin Simpson had a hard wall contact and sustained left rear suspension damage and may have a gearbox to repair as well.

Television update- FOX has deterthat the first 30 minutes is not important enough for over the air Television and will be exclusively on the FIX ONE app.FS2 will show qualifyingbeginninh at7 pm Eastern.

Results

Quick Thoughts- Portland Grand Prix

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Photo by Brad Proctor

Another IndyCar race. another Alex Palou win. Palou has won 14 races over the last two years with his sixth win of 2026.

Palou won in typical fashion, using an overcut on the first pit stop to get ahead of felix Rosenqvist. Except for pit sequences, Palou never looked back, building a lead of more than seven seconds at times.

In the post race press conference, Palou said he was surprised at how good the alternate tires were, and he credited that stint for helping him stay far ahead.

It was a repeat of Long Beach for felix Rosenqvist. He and Palou started on the front row, but Palou won and Rosenqvist finished second.

A Great Day for Andretti

Will Power finished third, Kyle Kirkwood fifth, and Marcus Ericsson sixth for Andretti Global as the team continues to improve their road course program.

Will Power said that with the progress the team has made this year, next year should be very interesting.

Kirkwood retook second place in the standings, but he is now two full races behind Palou. With five races left in the season, overtaking the leader is close to impossible.

The Invisible Man

Rinus VeeKay finished fourth after a spirited battle with Kirkwood, probably the best battle of an otherwise lackluster day. The driver from the Netherlands continues to shine on a team operating without a technical alliance with a larger team.

It is time for a major team to pick him up., but I don’t see anywhere else he can be for 2027.

VeeKay is 10th in the standings, just nine points out of ninth. He has three top fives and five top 10s this year, and he has been a regular member in the Fast Six qualifying.

Notes

Why do all of Honda’s issues fall on Marcus Armstrong? Today is at least the third mechanical issue he has encountered since Road America.

Christian Lundgaard had a sensational drive from 25th to ninth. He was the entire show early ib=n the race as he steadily moved forward.

Attendance seemed to be down from the last two races here, and I’m not sure why. The racing has not been great since IndyCar returned in 2018, and today’s race was less than exciting.

I will have a more in depth wrap up on Tuesday. I will be spending the entire day tomorrow traveling.

Thanks for following along this weekend.

5th to 10th

Palou Edges Kirkwood in Portland Practice 1

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The champ is gonna champ. Alex Palou led Practice 1 today for the Portland Grand Prix, just narrowly quicker than Kyle Kirkwood by eight hundredths of a second.

“Good day, great start,” Palou said. “I think there’s some work to do with the alternates (Firestone Firehawk tires), but we were really good on primaries, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

“It’s good that we tested here because it allowed us to start with good speed already in the No. 10 DHL Honda. But, yeah, some work to do still. We just need more speed.”

Kirkwood was very happy with his run.

“We definitely came here with a much different car than we’ve ever ran here, and hopefully it’s paying off,” Kirkwood said. “Early days here, but it’s promising. Compared to where we were last year, this is a big step in the right direction.”

The skies and air improved greatly as the day progressed, and the Portland area is now clear of the wildfire pollution.

Rinus VeeKay was quick in both the all-car session and his group, finishing third overall. He might be one to watch on Sunday, Will Power finished fourth today. Teaqm Penske had a decent day with Scott McLaughlin seventh, David Maluks eighth, and Josef Newgarden ninth.

Pato O’Ward struggled, spinning out in turn 1 and later having a tire lock up on the approach to the turn. He finished 15th.

Notes

Earlier in the day, David Malukas told me he feels quite confident in the car which has won the last two races at Portland. He will lose six places after qualifying with an engine penalty, which will hurt his chances.

Kyle Kirkwood said he feels he has the advantage over Malukas and Christian Lundgaard over the rest of the schedule. He believes his team is stronger on two of the types of tracks left, where Malukas and Lundgaard just each may only be stronger on one type of circuit. Lundgaard was 22nd fastest today.

Kirkwood ultimately wants to catch Palou, which he believes is possible. A lot would have to go right for the Andretti driver for that to happen.

Results

Testing Day 2- Let’s Change Drivers and Do it Again

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Photo: Alex Palou climbs into the IR-28 for an initial run this morning. IndyCar photo.

Good morning from a damp Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It seems as ion we sawn this same movie yesterday. Alex Palou made an early run at 9 am before rain hit again. When the track dries, the rest of the time allowed for testing today should be dry.

Testing is suposed to end at 2 pm, followed by a brief media availability with Palou. I’ll be back at the end of the day with a wrap up.

Nashville Wrap Up: One Ace Beats three of a Kind

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Team Penske’s strongest race of the year only netted them a second, a third, and a Fourth as Alex Palou used a timely pit stop just ahead of a caution flag to win his fifth race of the year at yesterday’s rain delayed Brochet\ta Bourbon Grand Prix.

While Palou won the pit strategy battle, pole sitter Kyle Kirkwood came up on the short end as another yellow flag flew while he was in the pits. Kirkwood was on the same tire strategy as Palou, finishing on primaries, but he had a lot of track position to make up.

On Saturday, Palou appeared to be struggling, and he was not happy with his car during the first two stints of the race.

“Saturday, I was not that comfortable in the car,” Palou said. “But Julian (Robertson, engineer) and everybody on the 10 and CGR prepared a really, really good car for today. The beginning of the race we were not that comfortable in traffic, but the last two stints I was just super comfortable.

“It was a close battle there with Newgarden. It just seemed like he had so much speed there, and I was flat-out for the last 30, 35 laps. Just awesome to win here.”

The win capped a glorious weekend for Spain, with Palou’s country winning the World Cup.

David Malukas turned in the best performance of the day finishing third after starting 25th. Malukas started the wekend with a morning crash which sent him to a local hospital for evaluation. He return for the early evening practice and set the fastest time. Malukas cycled to the lead during the first round of pit stops as the team attempted a three stop fuel save strategy. It didn’t quite work out, but Malukas still ended with his third podium in four oval races.

I am impressed with how much Malukas has matured on ovals in 2026. Last year he was impatient with slower cars, and he paid the price. Yesterday, he chose his moves wisely and backed off when he needed to. How he hasn’t won a race this year yet is puzzling.

Malukas was first through the second place revolving door, although Palou’s lead is now 83 points. Kyle Kirkwood falls to third, 87 points behind Palou. Monday was likely Kirkwood’s last best shot at catching Palou.

Notes

Unsung- Marcus Ericsson has been very competitive in the last two oval races, and Andretti Global was wise to resign him for 2027. he had a podium at Gateway, and he nearly snagged another one yesterday.

Rinus VeeKay continues to show great talent. The pit cycles knocked him out of what should have been a top 10 result. Whichever team signs him for 2027 is getting a very good driver.

Mick Schumacher scored his first top 10 in IndyCar- on an oval, no less. Schumacher was the bright spot in an another otherwise dismal day for RLL. Louis Foster was 17th and Graham Rahal finished 19th. Rahal was quite slow on track. I can’t figure out why the team can’t put a better car on the grid for him.

Palou’s fifth win of the season was his first since Detroit on May 31.

In the three weeks before Portland, we may see the 2028 car on track. Also, on Thursday Indiana Sprint Week begins with an event at IMS on the dirt track.

Thanks for following along on what turned out to be an extended weekend. I hope IndyCar has seen the last of rainy ovals for 2026. Please stay dry, Milwaukee.

Results

Five in a Row for Pole-O

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There is now a third certainty in life. In addition to dea and taxes, add Ale Palou on pole for an IndyCar race. Alex Palou won his fifth straight pole for 2026 and joins an elite list of consecutive pole winners:

1. Bobby Unser 8 (1971-72)

2. Mario Andretti 7 (1965-66)

3. Alex Zanardi 6 (1996-97

4. Mario Andretti 5 (1984) 4T. Danny Sullivan 5 (1988), Palou

Incredibly, all-time pole winner Will Power never won five consecutive poles. Palou was just sixth fastest in practice this morning, but the team returned to yesterday’s settings to allow the points leader to stay at the front. David Malukas starts second for the second race in a row.

Palou’s lap of 1:43.6615 beat Malukas by 0.29 seconds.

Marcus Armstrong was the favorite going into qualifying, but he ended the session third, just ahead of teammate Felix Rosenqvist. Marcus Ericsson and Scott McLaughlin complete the Fast Six.

“It’s incredible, five in a row this year,” Palou said. “This team, man. This team and everyone on it is giving me the best car, all the power we needed. We suffered quite a lot there in Q2. Couldn’t really get the lap we wanted, but the car was super rapid.”

Notes

Road America’s IndyCar weekend is looking a lot like the Sebring 12 Hour race. While roaming the track this morning, I saw more campers, cars, and golf carts than I have ever seen here. The last two years that I attended Sebring I had the same feeling of an event that was bulging at the seams with vehicles are shoehorned into the place, and I trust management here has a plan to prevent that from happening.

Weird thought- How many pounds over minimum weight would the 10 car be if IndyCar implemented Balance of Performance?

Today’s crowd was massive. I have never seen the grandstands so filled for qualify and practice. Tomorrow’s attendance may shatter the record for IndyCar here.

Results

Note Santino Ferrucci and Alexander Rossi will be assessed six grid positions each. Official starting lineup will post tomorrow morning.

Deja Vu- Palou on Pole

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It was his worst track. Until today. Alex Palou turned a blistering average of 174.35 to beat David Malukas for the top spot in tomorrow’ night’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500. The margin was more one mile an hour.

In an ominous statement to the rest of the field, Palou said after practice that he was'”…happier than I’ve ever been at this track.”

Malukas was not too upset with the result, in fact, he was happy his team found something for qualifying after finishing sixth in the morning practice.

Today’s pole is Palou’s fourth in a row, tying a record set by Scott Dixon. The four time series champion has been on pole at Long Beach, the Sonsio Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and now at WWTR. Long Beach is the only race he converted to a win.

The last winner from the pole at Gateway was in 2003 when Helio Castroneves won from the first grid position.

Alexander Rossi and Felix Rosenqvist spent time at the top of the scoring pylon, as did Marcus Armstrong.

The final three drivers, Palou, Kirkwood, and Malukas- were all too strong for the rest of the field.

Notes

Mick Schumacher had a respectable qualifying in 18th.

Will Power will start a disappointing 21st.

The difference in speed between Palou and 25th place Sting Ray Robb is 6.2 mph.

Next up is highline practice at 8 pm Eastern. Today’s high line practice is different tan at most tracks. Each group will have two 10-minute sessions, alternating between groups. A full 60 minute practice follows at 9 pm Eastern.

Results

Quick Thoughts-Detroit Grand Prix

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In the end the race came down to pit strategy and how the cautions fell- just the way a race is supposed to play out. Alex Palou once again came out on the good side, and Kyle Kirkwood fell just short.

The Chevrolet Grand Prix of Detroit delivered an entertaining race, arguably the best race in the Motor City in a while. It was by far the best of the four races held at this edition of a downtown circuit.

Today’s race was the type of event that might keep the casual fan who tuned in today after watching last week’s Indianapolis 500 and saw plenty of action to maybe want to give Gateway a look next Sunday. It was not the post-500 buzzkill that we have often seen.

Here are my thoughts on seven topics from today’s race.

Yellows

IndyCar officiating has been criticized for not throwing yellows when warranted. Today the yellow flew frequently, perhaps a bit too much. Three cautions were called for cars that spun but were able to restart and keep going. Only once did I think the flag was justified as the car was in the middle of the track.

The officials overcorrected their previous reluctance to make a call. I can give the race director a bit of a pass since this was the new IOB’s first street course event.

Did the yellows hurt some drivers? yes, Kyle Kirkwood among them, but that’s racing. I’m sure a middle ground will eventually be reached for when to wave the yellow flag and when not to.

Hybrids

Scott Dixon dropped out of the race, losing a top 10 finish because of a hybrid failure. He was not complimentary about the unit afterwards.

After nearly three years, I’m still not sure how the hybrid adds anything to the sport. The street racing especially has not been great since the hybrid’s introduction to IndyCar. The added weight has slowed speeds, as we saw at IMS last week.

Perhaps it is time to ditch this experiment with the 2028 car.

Another Rahal Podium

Graham Rahal earned his third podium of the season, the first time since 2020 that he has been on the podium that often. Rahal is ninth in points, just one point behind Josef Newgarden.

I’m glad to see Rahal once again competing at the top of the grid. RLL seems to have their road and street packages figured out. I hope the team can find a solution to their oval issues.

A Gritty Duo

Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi raced despite their ailing lower extremities. For Rossi, it was his second race since his injury on May 18, and Newgarden was in his first race since hitting the wall last Sunday.

Newgarden started 21st, and Rossi rolled ff 14th. Rossi had made his way to second place near the end of the race before a penalty pushed him down to17th at the end.

Newgarden drove a steady race all day and finished 10th.

Two gutsy performances from these drivers. They should be in better shape for next Sunday’s oval race at Gateway.

The Chime

There is nothing more annoying during the FOX broadcast that the chime the network uses to tell the audience that a radio communication is imminent. It sounds to me like a doorbell or the sound at a sports league draft to announce the next pick.

Is it too difficult for Will Buxton to say to just say, “Here’s what Barry Wanser just told Alex?”

The chime is the most unnecessary prop I have ever seen or heard on a race broadcast.

Will Power

What does Will Power have to do to stay in a race and actually win? This morning I felt great about his chances to win today, and when he passed Palou for the lead during the first stint, I was sure it was his day.

He got behind on pit stops but was making his way back toward the front until co0ntact with Scott McLaughlin sidelined him. The New Zealander was not given a penalty, but he finished 19th after being in contention for the win, so justice was served.

I really hoped Power would win today, in a Honda, in Roger Penske’s backyard. what delicious irony that would have been.

ECR

No team will be happier to see the calendar turn to June 1 tomorrow than ECR. May has not been kind to them.

Both Christian Rasmussen and Alexander Rossi suffered machinal failures in the Sonsio Grand Prix, finishing 24th and 25th.

The highlight of May was rossi qualifying second for the Indianapolis 500. The joy was short lived as Rossi crashed hard in practice the following day, injuring his right ankle.

In the race Rasmussen fell out early with mechanical issues again, finishing 27th. Rossi led for a bit, but a pit fire dropped him the race and he ended the day in 30th place.

Today, in addition to Rossi’s late troubles, Rasmussen was the first car out with wall contact on lap 9.

It was good to see a decent race follow the 500 for once. Next Sunday’s Bommarito 500 should be another great show.

Thanks for following along this weekend.