Long Beach Legacy:
Palou Holds the Line
The Chess Match at 180 MPH
The Undercut That Wasn’t
Palou and strategist Barry Wanser attempted to jump Kirkwood on Lap 64, pitting one lap earlier for the final set of primary tires. While the stop was flawless, Kirkwood’s blistering out-lap on Lap 66 kept the #27 Honda just out of reach.
The No-Yellow Factor
For the second consecutive race, the field went green-to-checkered. This absence of restarts played directly into the hands of the top qualifiers, turning the race into a pure exercise in fuel management and tire degradation.
Chasing History
Palou’s start to the 2026 campaign is nearly unprecedented. While he fell short of becoming the first driver since Scott Dixon (2020) to win the opening three races, his average finish of 1.33 through the first quarter of the season has the paddock on high alert.
“We executed perfectly, except for my start where I gave up a couple of spots,” Palou admitted. “But every podium is a win when you’re looking at the big picture of the Astor Challenge Cup.”
Expert Insight:
“Kirkwood was the fastest Honda in Long Beach, but Palou was the smartest. He knew he didn’t have the pace to pass, so he settled for the points that keep his rivals at arm’s length.”
Next Stops
- April 26: Barber Motorsports Park
- May 9: G.P. of Indianapolis
- May 24: The 110th Indianapolis 500
- June 1: Detroit Grand Prix
Don’t Miss the Month of May
The championship battle heads to the South before the legendary return to the Brickyard. Will Palou continue his run, or can Kirkwood close the gap?