Kyle Kirkwood claimed victory at the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, executing a decisive overtake on Alex Palou in the final laps to secure his first win of the 2026 INDYCAR season, according to Fox Sports. The 70-lap race on the new Arlington street circuit featured a late caution but ended under yellow, allowing Kirkwood to maintain the lead after surpassing the three-time defending champion with 15 laps to go.
Kirkwood’s win marks his sixth career victory and propels him to the top of the INDYCAR points standings for the first time this season, with an average finish of 2.33 over three races, reports Fox Sports. His performance has earned him the number one spot in the latest INDYCAR power rankings, where other notable drivers like Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, and Will Power also ranked highly for their consistency and strategic execution.
Alex Palou, who finished second, praised Kirkwood’s clean and bold racing maneuvers, highlighting the quality of the final pass that decided the race, adds Fox Sports coverage. Palou’s strong run, coupled with Kirkwood’s win, underscored the competitiveness of the new Arlington event held near the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
Will Power secured third place, his best finish of the season, bouncing back from earlier crashes and demonstrating improved synergy with his new Andretti Global team, according to Fox Sports. Power expressed optimism about his team’s progress and their race strategy during the Arlington event, which featured multiple Andretti drivers finishing near the front.
The INDYCAR series now faces a week off before resuming with the next race on March 29 at Barber Motorsports Park. Kirkwood’s current lead in points positions him as a key contender to watch, while teams will analyze Arlington’s data for strategy adjustments heading into what could be a pivotal stretch of the season.
Alex Palou
IndyCar
Kyle Kirkwood
Andretti Global
Arlington
Will Power
Marcus Ericsson
Barber Motorsports Park
Josef Newgarden
Phoenix Raceway
