Alex Palou used a 7.3-second Chip Ganassi Racing pit stop to beat Felix Rosenqvist at Long Beach and reclaim the IndyCar championship lead.
Palou strikes at the decisive stop
Alex Palou won the 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach after Chip Ganassi Racing used the race’s only caution to turn his afternoon around.
The No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda started third, then climbed to second when Palou passed Pato O’Ward on Lap 2. Pole winner Felix Rosenqvist stayed in command, leading the first 31 laps and exiting ahead after both contenders made their opening stops at the end of that lap.
Rosenqvist stretched his advantage to around three seconds in the second stint. Palou admitted he struggled somewhat on the softer Firestone alternate tire, putting the Meyer Shank Racing driver in a commanding position as the final scheduled stops approached.
That changed on Lap 57. A large piece of debris triggered the only caution of the 90-lap contest, wiping out Rosenqvist’s lead and closing up the field. The leaders stopped on Lap 59 for primary tires and fuel, leaving the Meyer Shank and Ganassi crews to settle the order.
Ganassi delivered under pressure. Palou’s service lasted 7.3 seconds, compared with Rosenqvist’s 8.4-second stop after a slight delay at the left-rear corner. The first pit box also provided Palou with a clear exit, and the championship leader emerged in front for the first time.
Palou controls the final stint
Palou made the position change stick. He pulled clear when racing resumed on Lap 61 and never gave up the lead, building an advantage on the primary tires that Rosenqvist couldn’t erase.
Palou won by 3.9663 seconds despite slowing considerably on the approach to the checkered flag. Positioning and pit-lane execution had put him ahead, then his pace finished the job.
The result marked Palou’s first Long Beach victory in six appearances. He had never finished outside the top five at the historic California street circuit, but this was his first trip to the top step.
“It’s huge. Super proud of everybody’s job but especially this crew. Incredible to finally win here at Long Beach.”
It was Palou’s 22nd career IndyCar victory in his 103rd start. He has won 11 of the past 22 races during his remarkable stretch with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Rosenqvist denied after leading 51 laps
Second place offered little reward for Rosenqvist’s accomplished drive. The No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda driver started on pole, controlled the opening two stints and led 51 laps, his highest single-race total in IndyCar.
His previous best was 33 laps led. At Long Beach, he paired qualifying speed with lasting race pace and beat Palou off pit road during the first round of stops. The debris caution erased the gap he had built, while the short delay at his final service settled the outcome.
Scott Dixon completed the podium in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, putting two team cars in the top three. A fast final stop gained the six-time champion three positions, and he held off Kyle Kirkwood for his best finish of the season.
Kirkwood placed fourth, only 0.5267 seconds behind Dixon, with O’Ward fifth. Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas, Graham Rahal, Alexander Rossi and Kyffin Simpson rounded out the top 10.
Dennis Hauger led the rookies in 11th. Marcus Ericsson was the lone retirement after electrical trouble ended his race.
Ganassi execution settles the race
Palou and Ganassi again turned a small opening into a major result at Long Beach. Rosenqvist had the quicker package for much of the race, but Palou remained close enough to take advantage when the caution reset the order.
The gap between the two final pit stops was 1.1 seconds. On a narrow street circuit where passing the leader under green is difficult, that difference carried much greater weight than the number alone.
Palou still had work to do. Moving ahead under caution gave him the opportunity, and his restart plus his pace on primary tires kept Rosenqvist from mounting a realistic response.
Ganassi’s strong day extended beyond the winning car. Dixon climbed to third and Simpson finished 10th, placing all three listed team entries inside the top 10 across the 90 laps.
Palou reclaims the championship lead
The victory was Palou’s third in five races this season, following his street-course success at St. Petersburg. He also moved ahead of Kirkwood in the standings and will carry a 17-point lead into the Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Malukas is third, 63 points behind Palou, while Kirkwood is the only rival within one race’s worth of points. Palou is chasing a fifth IndyCar championship and a series record-tying fourth consecutive title.
Long Beach further improved his street-circuit record. Kirkwood has won five street races over the past three years, while Palou now has four over the same period.
The championship battle heads next to Indianapolis, where Palou will arrive with another prestigious victory and a 17-point lead in the standings.
