The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s 51st edition saw a Honda sweep of the podium, with Alex Palou leading the pack. Although Palou didn’t dominate the race as usual, he eventually clinched victory after a strategic pit stop that pushed him ahead of Felix Rosenqvist. This win also propelled Palou back into the championship lead, establishing a 17-point advantage over Kyle Kirkwood. Moving on to the standout performances, the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Pit Crew played a pivotal role in securing Palou’s victory. They executed a quick pit stop that allowed Palou to take the lead and secure his 22nd career win. On the other hand, the lack of on-track action in the race left many viewers and participants disappointed, with minimal position changes occurring during the event. Additionally, Josef Newgarden’s aggressive strategy failed to pay off, resulting in a 14th place finish. Nevertheless, Felix Rosenqvist’s second-place finish marked a significant improvement in his 2026 campaign. Despite the race’s shortcomings, Rosenqvist’s performance brought a positive start to his season.
Analysis: IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach Winners and Losers
