There’s nobody higher in IndyCar proper now than Álex Palou, and the Spanish driver demonstrated that when once more on Sunday.
Ranging from the pole place, Palou gained the 2026 , marking his fourth victory of the season and his second win in Detroit, . The four-time IndyCar champion prolonged his giant lead within the 2026 general standings in his quest to win a fourth-straight championship.
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completed second after difficult Palou for a lot of the second half of the race. However regardless of a number of makes an attempt to overhaul the chief, Kirkwood could not fairly end on high. Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Robert Rahal completed in third place.
Palou led for the primary 15 laps Sunday earlier than being overtaken by Andretti International’s Will Energy, a multi-time winner in Detroit, on Lap 16. Nonetheless, Palou stayed shut and pitted one lap earlier than Energy at Lap 35 (and not less than one lap earlier than a lot of the different drivers).
HISTORY:
1 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Race groups work alongside pit lane with the Renaissance Heart within the background throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
1 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Race groups work alongside pit lane with the Renaissance Heart within the background throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
2 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Workforce members collect within the Acura Meyer Shank Racing pit throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
3 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
The No. 4 Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R sits in its pit stall throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
4 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A freighter travels alongside the Detroit River close to the race course throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
5 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Ross Gunn walks via the paddock earlier than the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
6 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
The Detroit skyline is seen past the race course throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
7 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac sits in its pit stall throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
8 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Spectators watch from a rooftop close to the Renaissance Heart throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
9 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A race automotive travels alongside the downtown road circuit throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
10 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Mark Gregory, a spotter for Firestone, watches from a storage throughout GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
11 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Followers watch the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 from the grandstands throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
12 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A GTP automotive navigates a activate the downtown road circuit throughout GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
13 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
IndyCar driver Alex Palou speaks with members of the media throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
14 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
An Acura Meyer Shank Racing crew member listens over group radio throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
15 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Members of the Ford Multimatic Motorsports group work on the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3 in pit lane throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 2 on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Munoz, Detroit Free Press)
16 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Amari Gresham, a member of a tire crew, cleans a tire within the pit space throughout preparations for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
17 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A McLaren driver navigates the course throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 1 session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
18 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Workforce members stroll via the paddock with the Renaissance Heart within the background throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
19 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A driver navigates the course throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 1 session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
20 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
ordan Kroehle, proper, talks with a pal within the pit space throughout preparations for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
21 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A driver navigates the course throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 1 session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
22 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Kevin Broadbent, pit fireplace chief, stands subsequent to a cart whereas watching exercise on the observe throughout preparations for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
23 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A driver navigates the course throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 1 session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
24 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A visitor walks on the road throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
25 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
A driver navigates the course throughout the GTP/GTD Professional Observe 1 session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
26 / 26
Downtown taken over by 2026 Detroit Grand Prix apply, qualifying
Renaissance Heart towers over the pit lane throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear in Detroit on Friday, Could 29, 2026.
(David Rodriguez-Muñoz, Detroit Free Press)
Consequently, Palou re-took the lead at Lap 41 and created an enormous lead over Kirkwood halfway via the race. Kirkwood had an opportunity to place himself in a successful place two-thirds of the best way via the race after a Palou pit cease, however a crash between Junco Hollinger’s Rinus Veekay and A.J. Foyt’s Santino Ferrucci on Lap 66 introduced all of the vehicles again collectively for warning laps, permitting Palou to re-take the lead after Kirkwood’s pit cease.
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Kirkwood caught up with Palou once more on Lap 80, however one other warning prevented the Andretti International driver from making an attempt a cross. Kirkwood was attempting to change into the primary driver to win in back-to-back years in Detroit, since Sebastien Bourdais did so at Belle Isle in 2015 and 2016.
Workforce Penske’s David Malukas, who entered the day second within the general standings whereas on the lookout for his first IndyCar win, began the race within the again, however challenged for a podium place late within the race. A crash with rookie Mick Schumacher on lap 72, nevertheless, ended each racers’ possibilities of a top-3 end.
Chip Ganassi’s Scott Dixon, who has a file 4 IndyCar wins in Detroit, suffered a mechanical concern on Lap 68 and didn’t end the race. Ferrucci additionally crashed out on Lap 78 and didn’t end, as did Energy one lap later.
Grandson of former Grand Prix winner takes Indy NXT race
HMD’s Enzo Fittipaldi gained Sunday morning’s Indy NXT race and took the lead within the circuit’s general standings on account of the win.
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His teammate, HMD’s Tymek Kucharczyk, led for a lot of the race following a Lap 1 pileup, however a passing try from Abel Motorsports’ Miles Rowe on Flip 4 halfway via the race gave Fittipaldi room to cross each Kucharczyk and Rowe. And as soon as Andretti International’s Max Taylor crashed into the wall on Flip 9 shortly earlier than the tip of the race, Fittipaldi cruised below warning till time ran out.
A crash occurred on Flip 3 instantly after the primary inexperienced flag waved, with Andretti International’s Lochie Hughes working into A.J. Foyt’s Alessandro de Tullio and inflicting a pileup much like that of the beginning of the 2024 Grand Prix. That led to the primary eight laps being raced below warning, with the ultimate 5 minutes additionally raced below warning after Taylor’s crash.
Fittipaldi gained regardless of struggling harm to his entrance wing on an earlier collision, saying a gap on the underside of his automotive affected his pace on the straightaways.
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“It was a super-crazy race,” Fittipaldi mentioned. “I used to be a bit frightened on the time as a result of my entrance wing appeared fairly tousled and I might really feel it as effectively within the corners, so I used to be a bit frightened to hold on and keep within the race.”
Fittipaldi’s grandfather, Emerson Fittipaldi, is a two-time winner of the Detroit Grand Prix, successful the downtown race in 1989 and 1991, as a part of the CART collection.
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