By: Spencer Neff
May 29, 2026
NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader Alex Palou began on-track running for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix by posting the fastest lap in Friday afternoon’s opening practice. Palou, who started on the pole and won in the series’ return to the 1.645-mile, nine-turn street circuit in Michigan three years ago, posted a best lap of 1m02.7722 (94.341 mph).
2025 race winner Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global was .0192 of a second back of Palou’s fastest lap. The duo have combined to win all three street course events in 2026 to date.
Palou won the season opener at St. Petersburg and the April 19 race in Lon g Beach, with Kirkwood taking the checkered flag in Arlington on March 15. Palou finished second to Kirkwood in that race while Kirkwood ran fourth in both of Palou’s victories.
Kirkwood’s teammate Will Power and Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong, who finished a career-best third in the 2024 race, finished up a Top Four sweep by Honda. Power won this race in 2014 (Race 1) and 2022 when it was contested at Belle Isle Park,
2021 (Race 2) Belle Isle winner Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren was best among the Chevrolet-powered entries in the 25-car field.
Fresh off his Indianapolis 500 victory, Armstrong’s teammate Felix Rosenqvist was 11th overall. Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger was best among the rookies in 19th. There were no major on-track incidents that impeded the 40-minute “all-skate” and 12-minute split group runs in Friday afternoon’s practice.
Up Next
Saturday, May 30 begins with second practice at 9:00-10:30 a.m. EDT (FS1) with qualifying at 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (FS1).
Race Day begins with the morning warmup scheduled for 9:30 a.m. EDT (FS1) and the 100-lap race will air later on Sunday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m. with a 12:52 green flag time. Stay with IndyCar1909.com and our social media platforms with all the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
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