Kyle Kirkwood won the first IndyCar Arlington GP under caution, taking the championship lead in the process. Álex Palou and Will Power completed the podium.
Marcus Ericsson started from pole, his first in IndyCar after 117 starts. The Swede had led the Fast 6 from the opening run, with no driver able to better his benchmark time throughout the session.
The race was brought forward from its original start time due to forecasted high winds. Wind plays a significant role at street circuits, affecting the aerodynamics of the Dallara chassis and disrupting how the car behaves through corners and on the straights.
Eight of the top nine starters took to the grid on red-walled tyres, with Felix Rosenqvist the sole exception from fifth on the grid. The choice reflected a dual strategy: the softer compound offers greater early pace, and starting on reds also helps teams fulfil one half of the mandatory two-set red tyre rule, particularly valuable if an early caution arises.
The green flag waved for the start of the Arlington GP
Ericsson held his lead off the start at the IndyCar Arlington GP race, with Palou staying close in second. Kirkwood, who had missed the Fast 6 cut, lined up fifth on the grid, while Felix Rosenqvist slotted into seventh. Christian Lundgaard spun on the opening lap but kept his car going and rejoined the field.
Power made a clean move on Pato O’Ward to climb into the podium places, and with Palou ahead and Ericsson leading, both Chip Ganassi teammates were now firmly in his sights. Further back, Scott Dixon was the first to pit, bolting on a fresh set of red-walled tyres in an early bid to complete the mandatory requirement.
Kirkwood was keeping O’Ward honest as he looked for a way past into fourth. Eight laps in, Ericsson remained in control at the front, Palou still applying pressure in second and Power searching for his moment in third. Further down the field, Louis Foster made a move on rookie Caio Collet to move up to 12th.
By Lap 11, Scott McLaughlin had charged through nine positions from his starting spot. Alexander Rossi passed Christian Rasmussen to climb to seventh. A lap later, David Malukas was embroiled in a four-car fight for eighth, holding firm against Josef Newgarden, Santino Ferrucci, and Foster.
Tyres flying in pit lane
Dixon’s pit stop came with an early complication, as he clipped a tyre from Kyffin Simpson’s pit box on his way in. With O’Ward also pitting, Rosenqvist moved up to fourth. McLaughlin continued his charge, having gained 15 places to sit in 15th. Dixon became the first driver to fulfil the two red tyre requirement, rejoining on black-walled tyres on Lap 16.
Ericsson and Palou pitted together on Lap 17, and it was the No. 10 team that won the pit lane battle. Ericsson’s stop was compromised by a wheel gun issue on his front right tyre, handing the lead to Power as both Ganassi drivers rejoined behind him. Rosenqvist slotted into second and Rossi into third. Further back, Armstrong passed Grosjean to move to 21st.
Rosenqvist took the lead from Power on Lap 20 before pitting a lap later. On his way out, he found himself wheel-to-wheel with Kirkwood at pit exit. Power reclaimed the front spot in the interim. When Power himself pitted on Lap 23, a moment of drama unfolded on pit road as Foster attempted to reach his box just ahead of Power. Both drivers kept their cool and avoided contact.
Team Penske contact
Malukas clipped Newgarden as the No. 2 driver spun. Newgarden avoided a yellow flag and rejoined the race in P22.
After the first stint, Palou was in the lead with Ericsson behind the champion in second and O’Ward in third. Collet moved up to P13 after overtaking Rinus VeeKay. At the same time, Sting Ray Robb made a move on Rasmussen to take P15.
Ericsson pitted again on lap 28 as Kirkwood caught debris on his rear left tyre from the pit lane. Ericsson made a move on the inside of the No.3 car as he headed back to the track. Palou had a small slide as he exited his Pix box, as O’Ward headed in for new tyres.
Rosenqvist, Power, and Rossi occupied the top 3 on lap 31. Lundgaard was on the tail of Foster as they battled for P5. Power caught up within a second of Rosenqvist before the No. 60 driver entered the pits.
O’Ward made a move on Ferrucci as the Mexican driver entered the top 10. Palou overtook Rossi to take P2. Rossi entered the pits, so Lundgaard moved up to the podium. Ericsson made a move on Foster to take P5.
Schumacher spinning after contact
Mick Schumacher made contact with Newgarden, thus spinning out in the middle of the track on lap 39. The German driver avoided causing a yellow flag.
Kirkwood went side by side with Lundgaard as Kirkwood moved to P3. After Lundgaard pitted for red tyres. As the race entered its 44th lap, Power was leading the pack with Palou trying to make a move in second and Kirkwood in third.
After chasing down Power for the lead, Power headed into the pits for a 7.8-second stop. Palou took the lead with Kirkwood in second and Ericsson in third on lap 47. Power reentered the track to take over P5 in between O’Ward and Malukas.
Ericsson pitted on lap 49 reentering the streets of Arlington in P7. Palou pitted on lap 50 while maintaining his lead. Power slid in his battle with Malukas, giving the 24-year-old a temporary advantage. Soon after, Power regained his place from Malukas as the Andretti Global driver took P3. Kirkwood had an issue with his rear-right tyre, resulting in a longer pit stop.
Kirkwood takes the lead
Kyle Kirkwood moved to second and immediately set his sights on the lead. He made his move on Palou from the inside and made it stick, taking the front spot cleanly.
With 13 laps to go, Kirkwood led Palou and Power, and Andretti Global had reason to be pleased with four cars in the top four: Kirkwood first, O’Ward second, Power third, and Ericsson fourth.
The race’s first caution arrived with three laps remaining, when Rasmussen stopped the No. 21 car close to pit exit. Kirkwood held the lead through the full-course yellow, Palou and Power in tow.
The green flag came back out for what promised to be a one-lap shootout, but the race never got going again. Siegel and Grosjean collided on the restart, bringing out a second caution and ending any chance of a grandstand finish.
Kyle Kirkwood wins the first IndyCar Arlington GP under caution, taking the championship lead in the process.
