4 Takeaways From Alex Palou’s First Lengthy Seashore INDYCAR Win

[ad_1] LONG BEACH, Calif. — Alex Palou entered the Lengthy Seashore Grand Prix having gained 21 INDYCAR races and 4 collection titles.

However among the many few issues he hadn’t completed? A victory at Lengthy Seashore, arguably yearly the second-biggest race on the INDYCAR calendar.

That was till Sunday when Palau — driver of the No. 10 automobile for Chip Ganassi Racing — earned his twenty second profession victory as he crossed the start-finish line by virtually 4 seconds over second-place finisher Felix Rosenqvist.

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/04/640/427/acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach-sunday_-april-19_-2026_large-image-without-watermark_m150563-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1280/854/acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach-sunday_-april-19_-2026_large-image-without-watermark_m150563-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Alex Palou lastly made his approach to Victory Lane in Lengthy Seashore.

"Each win is so particular," Palou mentioned in his postrace information convention. "Clearly, the [Indy] 500 is at all times going to remain up high.

"This in all probability ranks top-three. It is tremendous, tremendous cool. However we have been so fortunate to have a lot success."

Listed here are my takeaways:

1. Palou Doing Palou Issues

Palou began third, rapidly handed Pato O’Ward for second after which took benefit of a sooner pit cease than pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist within the race’s solely warning to take the lead.

As soon as he obtained out entrance, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver made no errors. That's the blueprint for a Palou win, and it was his third triumph in 5 races this 12 months — and eleventh within the final 22 occasions. The win additionally lifted Palou into the collection factors lead by 17 factors over Kyle Kirkwood.

Alex Palou moved into the championship factors lead following Sunday's victory.

"Individuals assume that we aren't stunned of being right here," Palou mentioned. "We do not take it for [granted]."

2. Rosenqvist Wanted Disappointing Second

Felix Rosenqvist had not had a top-10 end all 12 months, so whereas the Meyer Shank Racing driver noticed a possible win slip away, he’ll take a second-place end.

"I had such a poor begin to the 12 months, so I used to be at all times going to take a podium," Rosenqvist mentioned in his postrace information convention. "It's totally uncommon that you've got a race like that, tempo like that.

"I do not truthfully assume I've ever had that. It’s a little bit bit disappointing once you can not wrap it up."

Rosenqvist did assume he had an excellent likelihood of holding off Palou over the ultimate 32 laps if he didn't have the sluggish pit cease.

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/04/640/427/felix-rosenqvist-acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach-by_-paul-hurley_large-image-without-watermark_m150494-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1280/854/felix-rosenqvist-acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach-by_-paul-hurley_large-image-without-watermark_m150494-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Felix Rosenqvist made the rostrum for the primary time in 2026.

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3. Kirkwood Repeat Denied

Kyle Kirkwood was denied in his hopes of repeating at Lengthy Seashore and incomes a 3rd win total. The Andretti World driver, who had entered the race because the collection factors chief, began fourth and completed fourth.

"It was simply so laborious to go on this observe," Kirkwood advised a staff consultant after the race. "I’m unsure why it was like that this 12 months.

"You simply get shut, and you then don’t have sufficient traction to make a transfer. ... I can’t be too upset with the top-four."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/04/640/427/kyle-kirkwood-acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach-by_-paul-hurley_large-image-without-watermark_m150062-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1280/854/kyle-kirkwood-acura-grand-prix-of-long-beach-by_-paul-hurley_large-image-without-watermark_m150062-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Kyle Kirkwood wasn't in a position to defend his crown in Lengthy Seashore, settling for fourth place.

4. Wonky Begin Simply Lengthy Seashore

The vehicles within the entrance few rows firstly of the race didn't stay double-file as they obtained strung out rapidly because the green-flag waved.

It appeared a little bit disjointed, however within the view of Scott Dixon, who began sixth and completed third, it was regular for Lengthy Seashore.

"It was very Lengthy Seashore-esque," the six-time collection champion mentioned in his postrace information convention. "It simply at all times is.

"It is laborious, particularly [if you’re] fourth by eighth or tenth, in case you catch the entrance two rows on the flawed spot, it's a must to brake and all people behind you is accelerating."

Drivers take the inexperienced flag firstly in the course of the Grand Prix Of Lengthy Seashore.

4 ½: What’s Subsequent

There are two weekends off earlier than the subsequent race because the Month of Might kicks off with the Might 9 occasion on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway street course.

However the drivers shall be on observe sooner as all of them shall be testing April 28-29 for the Indianapolis 500. It's a pivotal check as they prepare for the most important race of the 12 months.