RECAP/PHOTOS: 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Java House Grand Prix At Arlington

by Hunter Thomas March 17, 2026 0 comments

ARLINGTON, Tex. – Kyle Kirkwood earned his first win of the season following a thrilling finish in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ inaugural Java House Grand Prix at Arlington.

Kirkwood, who started the race in seventh in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda trailed Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou following the final pit stop of the day. Palou’s stop was a mere 7.7 seconds, while Kirkwood’s was 9.5 seconds; however, Kirkwood made up the time on the track and pulled off the eventual race-winning pass on Lap 55. Kirkwood then survived a late-race restart and sealed the deal on a one-lap dash. With the victory, the Andretti Global driver now leads the championship standings.

Palou held on to finish second after starting the race on the outside pole. Power finished third after making only two stops as opposed to Kirkwood and Palou who made three. Rounding out the top-five was polesitter Marcus Ericsson and Pato O’Ward. Completing the top-10 was Davis Malukas, Christian Lundgaard, Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi and Marcus Armstrong.

There were eight lead changes among five drivers on Sunday. Kirkwood joined Palou and Will Power for most laps led as all three drivers were out in front of the field for 16 laps

There were only two cautions throughout the 70-lap race. On Lap 68, the caution came out for the Christian Rasmussen in Turn 2, and on the final lap, the caution was thrown for Nolan Siegel and Romain Grosjean, also in Turn 2.

Only three drivers incurred a penalty in Arlington. Rookie Mick Schumacher was penalized for avoidable contacted and had to serve a driver-through on Lap 18. Kyffin Simpson was issued a drive-through for hitting his own equipment and personnel on Lap 25. Felix Rosenqvist jumped the restart and on the final restart of the day.

Below are images TheFourthTurn.com’s Mark Muñoz captured throughout Sunday’s race in Texas.