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Points Leader Kirkwood Hopes to Keep IndyCar Momentum Going
Street-course king just needs to win on more tracks—he has one oval win, too.
Mar. 25, 2026 at 8:30pm
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Even though it's very early in the 18-race season with 15 races still to go, Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood is leading the IndyCar points after a top-five at St. Pete, a podium in Phoenix, and a skillful and decisive win at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, Texas. Kirkwood has won five of his six career IndyCar races on street courses, with the other coming on an oval, and he'll look to continue that success at the upcoming Long Beach Grand Prix.
Why it matters
Kirkwood's strong start to the season has him atop the IndyCar points standings, and he'll look to build on that momentum at one of the series' marquee events in Long Beach. The 24-year-old has proven to be a dominant force on street courses, but needs to show he can win on other track types to solidify his status as an IndyCar championship contender.
The details
For the Arlington win, Kirkwood flat outdrove two of the strongest drivers in the field, four-time and current champion Alex Palou and two-time series titlist Will Power. Kirkwood's pass of Palou was masterful, drafting behind him into a sharp right-hand turn then jumping out to hit the apex first. Kirkwood spoke with respect for his competitors, saying 'This is a dream come true for me, and all these drivers are very deserving of the place that they're in now, and I've got huge respect for all the drivers. Especially for Alex and the drivers up front. It's always a pleasure racing against them.'
- Kirkwood won the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, Texas on March 25, 2026.
- The next race for Kirkwood is the Acura Grand Prix at Long Beach on April 17-19, 2026.
The players
Kyle Kirkwood
A 24-year-old driver for Andretti Global who is currently leading the 2026 IndyCar points standings after winning five of his six career races on street courses.
Alex Palou
The four-time and current IndyCar champion who finished second to Kirkwood at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Will Power
A 45-time IndyCar race winner and two-time series champion who finished third behind Kirkwood and Palou in Arlington.
Susan Wade
An Autoweek reporter who covered Kirkwood's win at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Andretti Global
The racing team that fields Kirkwood's No. 27 JM Bullion Honda in the IndyCar Series.
What they’re saying
“Kirkwood wheeled his No. 27 JM Bullion Honda to a 0.314-second victory margin over four-time and current champion Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) on the 2.73-mile, 14-turn street course through the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Entertainment District. Both Palou and third-place Will Power—Kirkwood's new Andretti teammate, the 45-time winner, and two-time series titlist—conceded that they wouldn't have had enough to catch Kirkwood, who earned the checkered flag under a last-minute caution.”
— Susan Wade, Autoweek reporter
“I'm not sure. You know, I was catching him so fast. It was a bit of a spontaneous thing. I just thought, you know what, if he recognizes that I'm able to pass him in this corner, on this lap? Then he'll likely defend for the rest of the race, because, granted, it is a better track for passing compared to some of the other street courses that we go to, but it's still hard, still very hard. So, I kind of had to catch him off guard a little bit and surprise him, which is why I did a little bit more of a risky kind of late lunge versus maybe trying to get to his gearbox and drive alongside him before you get to the brake zone. So, it was intentional. But I don't think I could have just bought time and tried to make a pass on him later. I don't think that would have worked very well against someone like Alex Palou, you know?”
— Kyle Kirkwood
“One hundred percent. This is a dream come true for me, and all these drivers are very deserving of the place that they're in now, and I've got huge respect for all the drivers. Especially for Alex and the drivers up front. It's always a pleasure racing against them. It's always a fun, good, clean race when you're at the front racing some of these guys. So, I've got massive respect for them.”
— Kyle Kirkwood
What’s next
Kirkwood will look to continue his strong start to the season at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 17-19, 2026.
The takeaway
Kirkwood's dominant start to the 2026 IndyCar season has him atop the points standings, but he'll need to prove he can win on more than just street courses to solidify his status as a championship contender. His respect for his fellow drivers and commitment to clean racing has earned him praise, though some wonder if a more aggressive approach could lead to even more success.
