Palou Claims Dominant IndyCar Win in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou launched his title defense with a commanding victory in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1, 2026, leading 59 of the 100 laps on the 1.8-mile temporary street circuit to claim his 20th career win and the largest margin in the event's 23-year history.

The Spaniard, driving the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda from a fourth-place start, finished 12.4948 seconds ahead of polesitter Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, who led 34 laps. Christian Lundgaard rounded out the podium in third, rallying from 12th in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Kyle Kirkwood placed fourth in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda after dropping from second late in the race due to fuel saving, while Pato O'Ward completed the top five in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Palou's Chip Ganassi Racing team executed a flawless overcut strategy during the first round of pit stops, staying out until Lap 38 on their original set of softer Firestone Firehawk alternate tires, a requirement under new INDYCAR rules mandating at least two sets of the red-walled compounds. This move allowed Palou to...