By: Spencer Neff
May 31, 2026

2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Results

After winning a third consecutive pole, Alex Palou converted the most recent one into his fourth victory of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign, winning Sunday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. It is Palou’s second victory in the series’ four appearances on the 1.645-mile, nine-turn street circuit in Michigan.

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver led 71 of 100 laps, including the final 32 laps and held off Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood by 3.0584 seconds for his 23rd career victory.

CGR also earns their 149th INDYCAR victory.

Palou now is tied with 1921 and 1923 Indianapolis 500 winner Tommy Milton for 20th all-time with 23 INDYCAR victories. Hw also now leads Kirkwood by 62 in the points standings.

In third, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal collected his third podium of 2026, his most in a season in six years. Following the podium sweep by Honda were the Arrow McLaren teammates of Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist followed up his Indianapolis 500 victory with a sixth-place finish.

After sustaining a foot injury last week at the Indianapolis 500, Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden improved a race-high 11 spots and finished 10th.

Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger was best among the rookies in the field, finishing 13th.

Recap

Although Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi brushed the outside wall in Turn 7 during the pace laps, the race began under a clean pace. On Lap 11, Rossi’s teammate Christian Rasmussen got loose exiting Turn 1 and made contact with the outside wall. Rasmussen’s damaged right-rear dropped him out of the race and he would finish 25th.

Following the Lap 15 restart, Andretti Global’s Will Power managed to surge his way to the lead around Palou in Turn 3 on Lap 17. Keeping enough grip on the rear Firestone tires proved to be a challenge for Power as he would fall back to third behind Lundgaard and Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin ahead of his Lap 35 pit stop.

Shortly after the first green-flag pit stop cycle was finished, the caution flag was displayed for the second time. Kyffin Simpson made contact with Graham Rahal, sending the latter spinning on the entrance of Turn 3. Following the incident, Simpson was given a drive-through penalty for the avoidable contact.

Palou began to pull away from Kirkwood following the Lap 45 restart until he opted to pit for the last round of strops on Lap 64. On Lap 66, Santino Ferrucci of A.J. Foyt Racing collided with Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Rinus VeeKay.

Shortly after the Lap 73 restart, Schumacher and Malukas collided in Turn 3 and stalled in the run-off area next to Turn 4.

Contact on the ensuing restart would knock both Power and Mclaughlin from the race.

Three laps later, Ferrucci stalled in Turn 4 and the caution was brought out again. After he was penalized for pitting in a closed pit lane, Rossi would again be penalized following contact with Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean in Turn 3. Grosjean’s contact and front wing damage would result in another caution, while Rossi was given a stop and hold penalty.

After the Lap 92 restart, Palou was able to pull away from Kirkwood. The remainder of the race was run without caution and he cruised to victory.

Six cautions for 23 laps slowed the average speed to 82.842 mph. The lead changed hands seven times between six drivers.

Up Next

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES concludes a bust stretch of four races in five weeks with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

Opening practice on the 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 6 (FS1). Two-lap qualifying will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET (FS2). Final practice begins with a split-field “high-line” session at 8:00 p.m. (FS2) for 30 minutes each. Final practice for the 25-car field begins at 9:00 p.m. ET (FS1).

The 260-lap race will air on Sunday, June 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET (FOX) with a 9:25 p.m. green flag time. Stay with IndyCar1909.com and our social media platforms for the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR