Kirkwood Dominates Long Beach, Ends Palou’s IndyCar Winning Streak

The 2025 Long Beach Grand Prix delivered a thrilling spectacle for IndyCar fans. Kyle Kirkwood emerged as the victor after a fiercely competitive race. Kirkwood, starting from pole position, managed to hold off Alex Palou, who had been undefeated this season until now.

The race was marked by strategic maneuvers, unexpected twists, and standout performances from several drivers. This victory not only marks Kirkwood’s first win since Nashville in 2023 but also positions him as a strong contender in the championship race.

Chaos at the Start

The opening laps of the Long Beach Grand Prix were nothing short of chaotic. Josef Newgarden’s early pit stop on lap two set off a chain reaction among the field. Starting from 14th, Newgarden opted to switch from rapidly degrading soft tires to hard tires. This move saw him gain significant ground as he clocked lap times over a second faster than the leaders.

This strategic masterstroke by Team Penske catapulted Newgarden to a net sixth position. However, Newgarden’s race took a turn for the worse when loose seat belts forced him to drop out of contention. Despite this setback, his early strategy had already influenced the race dynamics, causing a flurry of pit stops as other teams scrambled to cover his pace.

Palou’s Persistent Pressure

Alex Palou, known for his consistency and strategic acumen, was another significant gainer during the early pit stops. Having pitted a lap earlier than most, Palou managed to jump to a net second position behind Kirkwood. Despite struggling with a car that wouldn’t turn in properly, Palou relentlessly pressured Kirkwood after the stops, setting up a thrilling mid-race battle.

The race settled into a less complicated phase as all leading drivers cleared their soft-tire stints. They then opted for a hard-tire run to the finish. Kirkwood maintained a slender lead of 1.3 seconds before the final pit stop.

Palou’s earlier pit stop strategy cut this gap to nearly nothing. But Kirkwood managed to extend his lead to 2.3 seconds with 20 laps to go, ultimately securing the win.

Standout Performances

Christian Lundgaard was one of the standout performers of the race. Starting from 12th on the grid, Lundgaard opted for a long first stint on hard tires, which saw him lead the race at one point.

Despite losing ground to Felix Rosenqvist during the final stops, Lundgaard’s determination saw him reclaim the final podium spot with a daring move at Turn 1 with just five laps remaining.

Lundgaard’s performance not only earned him third place in the race but also positioned him third in the championship standings, just 12 points behind Kirkwood. His impressive showing marks him as the top Chevrolet driver and the best McLaren car for the second time in three races since joining from Rahal Letterman Lanigan.

Late-Race Battles

The closing stages of the race featured intense battles for positions. Scott McLaughlin, representing Penske, found himself under pressure from Colton Herta. Herta, who had initially been trapped in traffic during his early pit stop, suspected a damper issue with his car but continued to post competitive lap times.

In a dramatic turn of events, Will Power managed to overtake both McLaughlin and Herta in the final laps, securing a fifth-place finish after starting 13th on the grid. Scott Dixon also made significant gains, finishing eighth after starting 14th.

Impressive Top-10 Finishes

The race saw two drivers achieve their best finishes in the series, rounding out the top 10. Sting Ray Robb and Kyffin Simpson finished ninth and tenth, respectively, for Juncos Hollinger and Ganassi.

Robb, who has faced criticism in his short IndyCar career, impressed with lap times matching the leaders during his long stint on hard tires. He passed Simpson in the closing stages to secure his top-10 finish.

Santino Ferrucci also made a notable impact, moving up from 27th to 11th for AJ Foyt, making him the biggest mover of the race.

Conclusion

The 2025 Long Beach Grand Prix was a race to remember. It was filled with strategic gambles, intense battles, and standout performances. Kyle Kirkwood’s victory not only ended Alex Palou’s winning streak but also positioned him as a formidable contender in the championship race.

With several drivers showcasing their skills and determination, the season promises to be an exciting one for IndyCar fans.

For a detailed account of the race, you can read the full article on The Race.