2026 INDYCAR Odds: Alex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood Top Board for Long Beach Grand Prix

Kirkwood won in 2025 but is not the favorite to repeat at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:27pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an INDYCAR race at the Long Beach Grand Prix, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the high-speed action on the street circuit.The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises an intense battle between rising stars like Alex Palou and defending champion Kyle Kirkwood.Long Beach Today

Kyle Kirkwood won the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach after securing the pole and leading 46 laps. However, Kirkwood is not favored to win again when INDYCAR returns to Southern California for the 2026 race on April 19.

Why it matters

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of the most prestigious races on the INDYCAR calendar, and the 2026 edition will feature a competitive field vying for the victory. Kirkwood's 2025 win was a breakthrough moment, but the top drivers in the series will be looking to dethrone him this year.

The details

Kirkwood won the 2025 race at Long Beach after starting on pole position and leading 46 of the 85 laps. However, oddsmakers have installed Alex Palou as the favorite to win the 2026 edition, with Kirkwood listed as the second choice.

  • The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place on Sunday, April 19.
  • Kirkwood won the 2025 edition of the race.

The players

Alex Palou

A rising star in the INDYCAR series, Palou is the current betting favorite to win the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Kyle Kirkwood

The defending champion of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Kirkwood is listed as the second choice to win the 2026 edition of the race.

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What they’re saying

“Kirkwood's win last year was a big moment for him, but the competition in INDYCAR is only getting tougher. Palou has been the driver to beat over the past couple seasons, so it's no surprise to see him as the favorite heading into Long Beach.”

— Marty Smith, INDYCAR Analyst

What’s next

Qualifying for the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place on Saturday, April 18, setting the grid for the main race on Sunday.

The takeaway

The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises to be a thrilling race, with rising star Alex Palou looking to claim his first victory on the iconic street circuit, while defending champion Kyle Kirkwood aims to defend his title against a deep field of INDYCAR contenders.