The 2026 IndyCar Gateway GP is complete, view the full race results below. Josef Newgarden scored the race win ahead of Marcus Ericsson and Christian Rasmussen.
During Qualifying at Gateway, Alex Palou scored his fourth consecutive pole position of the season. Palou started the race ahead of David Malukas and Kyle Kirkwood.
What Happened?
Unfortunately, rookie Dennis Hauger was unable to start the race. Kyffin Simpson received a drive-through penalty for starting the race out of position.
On the race start, Palou maintained his lead ahead of Malukas and Kirkwood. Both Josef Newgarden and Marcus Ericsson made up positions throughout the beginning phase of the race — by Lap 30, they were up to P3 and P4, respectively. The RLL cars seemingly struggled, with Graham Rahal, Mick Schumacher, and Louis Foster all losing positions.
On Lap 43, both Newgarden and Ericsson got past Malukas, who fell to P4. Ericsson continued to tear through the field, getting past Newgarden for P2. Malukas took the opportunity to get past Newgarden for P3.
Palou struggled to lap Sting Ray Robb, allowing Ericsson to overtake him for the race lead on Lap 48.
On Lap 50, the first pit stops begin. Malukas and Newgarden both enter the pits, with a slow stop for the No.12 allowing Newgarden to get past. A mistake from the No. 10 crew in the pits cost Palou a position to Newgarden. Ericsson pit a few laps later, with finally a decent Andretti pit stop.
On Lap 55, Palou made contact with Nolan Siegel who hit the wall. A full-course yellow is called.
On Lap 63, Ericsson took the field back to green. Newgarden attempted to take the lead, making slight contact with Ericsson in the process. The No. 28 Honda managed to hang onto the lead.
Another big mover throughout the race appeared to be rookie Caio Collet. The Brazilian made his way up from P20 to P6 by Lap 80.
Red Flags and Rain
By Lap 100, Ericsson maintained his lead ahead of Newgarden, Palou, and Malukas. On Lap 108, the second cycle of pit stops began. Unfortunately, Newgarden had a slow stop, losing time to Ericsson. Christian Rasmussen, who already completed two pit stops, cycling out behind Ericsson and Newgarden.
On Lap 114, Rahal lost control of his car and hit the walls. Another full-course yellow is called. During the yellow, Simpson slowed and stopped on track, running out of fuel. Collet cycled his way up to P2.
By Lap 135, rain started to arrive on track. A red flag is called on Lap 139.
Racing Resumed at Gateway
Racing is resumed under a yellow flag. The pits re-opened, with drivers like Dixon, Palou, McLaughlin, Malukas, and O’Ward heading in. Dixon led the drivers on the alternate strategy. Additionally, Simpson’s car returned to pit lane for fuelling.
The green flag waved on Lap 143. Ericsson maintained the race lead ahead of Collet and Newgarden. Armstrong, who started P16 but lapped by Ericsson, reclaimed his spot on the lead lap by overtaking Ericsson. Newgarden got past Collet for P2 on Lap 147.
Rasmussen continued to cut through the field, overtaking Kirkwood for P5 on Lap 156. The No. 21 driver continued to be aggressive, overtaking Will Power for P4. Similarly, Rinus VeeKay charged through the field, up to P5 by Lap 170.
After pit stops, Newgarden cycled out in P7 ahead of Ericsson and Rasmussen. Dixon took the race lead ahead of Palou and Malukas. However, Newgarden began to catch those on the alternate strategy, overtaking Rosenqvist for P4. On Lap 194, Malukas pit early on the alternate strategy just as he got passed by teammate Newgarden.
Another Red Flag and Restart
Another caution is called on Lap 197 due to rain. Dixon held the lead ahead of Palou and Newgarden. The red flag is brought out on Lap 201.
With 59 laps to go, the race restarted under caution. Dixon came into the closed pits from the lead for emergency fuel. Palou gambed and stayed out in the lead. Unfortunately, he ran out of fuel as he entered the pits, slowing down in the pit lane. Ericsson lost time getting stuck behind Palou in the pits.
Newgarden was the first car out of the pits, taking the lead ahead of Rasmussen and Ericsson. Alexander Rossi was P18 but P2 on track, with radio communication asking him to help his teammate.
The race restarted on Lap 212, with Rossi giving Rasmussen a tow. The Danish driver took the lead from Newgarden. However, the No. 2 Penske did not back down, attempting to take the lead back. Both drivers took turns swapping the lead, allowing Ericsson to catch them up.
Final Laps
On Lap 226, the caution is out again. Collet returned to the pits from P6 with an engine failure. The drivers entered the pits for their final pit stop on Lap 230. Power had a poor pit stop, losing three positions.
Once again, the race returned to green on Lap 238 with Newgarden in the lead. On fresh tyres, McLaughlin started to cut through the field, up to P5 by Lap 240.
With ten laps to go, Newgarden led the race ahead of Ericsson, Rasmussen, and VeeKay. Newgarden managed to hold onto the lead, taking home his second win of the season and sixth win in St. Louis.
