By: Spencer Neff
March 15, 2026

2026 Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Results

Following a lap miscalculation during the Fast 12 yesterday, Kyle Kirkwood started a disappointing seventh in the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.

On Saturday, Andretti Global driver fought his way up to earn his sixth INDYCAR victory, leading the final 16 laps. After winning the inaugural race on the 2.73-mile, 14-turn street circuit in Arlington, Texas, Kirkwood now boasts five victories on street courses in his first half-dozen trips to NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ victory lane.

With his first victory of 2026, Kirkwood now leads the series points standings for the first time in 71 career starts. Andretti Global now has their 78th victory in a combined 1,507 starts dating back to 2003.

This year also marks the first time since 2018 there has been a different points leader after each of the first three races.

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou finished second after crashing early in last Saturday’s race at Phoenix. He currently trails Kirkwood by 26 in the standings after three of 18 races. Also rebounding from a disappointing race last weekend, Kirkwood’s teammate Will Power notched his first podium with Andretti Global in third.

All three drivers on the podium led 16 laps apiece but Kirkwood took home the extra bonus point for leading the most laps on the day, collecting 53 of a possible 54 points.

Kirkwood and Power’s teammate Marcus Ericsson, who earned his first INDYCAR pole yesterday, made it a Top Four sweep for Honda.

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward was best among the Chevrolet entries, placing fifth. Fellow Chevrolet driver Caio Collet earned his best INDYCAR finish to date in 12th for A.J. Foyt Racing, highest among three rookies in the field.

Dennis Hauger of Dale Coyne Racing finished 16th and is still leader in Rookie of the Year standings (13th overall) by eight points.

Recap

Before the start, Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong suffered a punctured right-rear tire. Although he took the green flag, Armstrong would pit soon after fulfilling the obligation for his first stint on alternate tires.

Ericsson and Palou would hold serve in first and second until their first pit stop on Lap 16. Rosenqvist started on the primary tires, making his first pit stop at Lap 20. Rosenqvist would pit again two fulfill his second mandatory run with the alternate Firestone tires. He would end the race 20th, last car finishing on the lead lap.

Furthering a disappointing race, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Mick Schumacher made contact with Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden in Turn 2 and spun. Both drivers continued on and the race stayed green. Newgarden finished 14th and is now third in the standings, while Schumacher was 22nd and is 25th overall.

Palou took control of the race on Lap 47 before his final pit stop with 21 laps to go. On Lap 57, Kirkwood made the race-winning move on Palou, passing off Turn 14 in a decisive maneuver.

On Lap 68, Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen lost power and came to a stop near the inside wall in Turn 2. After the race had run green until that point, the incident prompted the first caution of the day. Following a quick cleanup, the green was displayed for a one-lap run to the finish.

After Nolan Siegel of Arrow McLaren and Roman Grosjean of Dale Coyne Racing collided in Turn 14, the race would end with the second caution of the day and Kirkwood taking home the first Arlington win.

The lead changed hands eight times among five drivers, while a pair of cautions for three laps would slow the race down to a 99.086 mph average speed. 150 of the 151 on-track passes were for position.

Up Next

Following a week off, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES heads to its first permanent road course of the 2026 season, Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. The 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course hosts the series for the 17th time with the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

Opening practice is scheduled for 3:30 p.m ET on Friday, March 27 (FS2). Second practice will run at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, with qualifying at 2:30 p.m. Both Saturday broadcasts will air live on FS1.

The final warmup is slated for Sunday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. ET on FS. Sunday’s 90-lap race will air at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Stick with IndyCar1909.com and our social media for the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR