IndyCar runner-up fight erupts at Laguna Seca finale

Christian Lundgaard leads Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward and David Malukas into Laguna Seca as IndyCar’s fight for second reaches the 2026 finale.

Four drivers are separated by four points entering the 2026 IndyCar season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, September 6, according to IndyCar’s official standings.

Alex Palou has already clinched the championship. Christian Lundgaard, Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward and David Malukas head to Monterey with second place still up for grabs.

Lundgaard holds a slim advantage

IndyCar’s official table has Lundgaard second with 507 points from 17 starts. Kirkwood trails by two points with 505, and O’Ward has 503.

Malukas is still close enough to change the order. IndyCar lists him fifth with 484 points, 23 behind Lundgaard.

The four contenders have seven victories between them this season, according to the official standings. O’Ward has three, while Lundgaard and Kirkwood have two each. Malukas continues to pursue his first win of 2026.

O’Ward arrives with Milwaukee momentum

O’Ward won both Milwaukee Mile races on August 30, as confirmed by IndyCar’s official schedule, cutting his deficit to Lundgaard to four points before the final round.

The double victory gave O’Ward 10 top-five finishes this year, the most among the four drivers chasing second, according to IndyCar. Kirkwood has nine, while Lundgaard and Malukas have eight apiece.

Every finishing position now counts.

Kirkwood brings consistent points form

Kirkwood arrives at Laguna Seca with 14 top-10 results, tied with champion Palou for the highest total in the field, according to IndyCar’s standings. Lundgaard has 13 top-10 finishes, Malukas has 12 and O’Ward has 11.

IndyCar also lists Kirkwood with 220 laps led this season. O’Ward has led 238, while Malukas leads this group with 282.

Palou lines up beside McLaughlin

Motorsport. com reported Saturday that Scott McLaughlin edged Palou for pole by 0.0177 seconds at Laguna Seca. IndyCar said the result gave Chevrolet its 250th series pole and earned McLaughlin his third NTT P1 Award of 2026.

None of the four contenders for second secured pole.

Palou leads the standings with 607 points, 100 ahead of Lundgaard, according to IndyCar. He has six wins and eight poles through 17 starts this season.

Finale begins Sunday afternoon

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey is scheduled to start at 2:30 p. m. ET on Sunday, September 6, according to IndyCar’s official schedule. The race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will end the 2026 season and settle the positions behind Palou.

IndyCarLundgaardKirkwoodO’WardMalukas

Did you know?

1
The Indianapolis 500 first ran in 1911, and Ray Harroun won the inaugural race driving the Marmon Wasp.
2
A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Rick Mears, and Hélio Castroneves share the record for the most Indianapolis 500 victories, with four apiece.
3
Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race when she captured the 2008 Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi.
4
Tony Kanaan won the 2013 Indianapolis 500 in his 12th start, setting a record at the time with an average speed of 187.433 mph.
5
The Indy Racing League began competition in 1996, and the reunification of American open-wheel racing occurred in 2008 when Champ Car merged into the IndyCar Series.