By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Alex Palou captured his first Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach title in dramatic fashion Sunday, edging Felix Rosenqvist in the 51st running of the race after a late pit stop issue cost Rosenqvist valuable time.
A slow stop by Rosenqvist’s crew late in the race opened the door for Palou, who took advantage and drove to the checkered flag for his third win of the season.
The race’s first caution also marked the first yellow flag at Long Beach since 2024, after the event set a record with 200 laps run under green.
“All in all, we have to be happy,” Rosenqvist said. “If you take things into perspective, it’s been a very good weekend.”
The victory was Palou’s first at Long Beach and moved the Chip Ganassi Racing driver to the top of the IndyCar standings. He now holds a 17-point lead over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood.
“It was incredible for me to win my first Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach,” Palou said. “It’s our biggest event of the season after the Indianapolis 500, and it just feels incredible to win. The atmosphere was phenomenal, and this is the momentum we need going into the month of May. We’ll be looking to carry this success into Indy so we can do an amazing job there, too.”
Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, a former two-time Long Beach winner, finished third as Honda swept the top three spots.
Kirkwood finished fourth, followed by Pato O’Ward in fifth. Team Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas placed sixth and seventh, respectively. Graham Rahal, recent Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame inductee Alexander Rossi, and Kyffin Simpson rounded out the top 10.
“Huge weekend for Chip Ganassi Racing,” Dixon said. “Hopefully it’s something we can build on.”