Alex Palou delivered another ruthless demonstration of racecraft on the streets of Long Beach, converting a slick under-green pit stop into a 3.9663-second victory over Felix Rosenqvist to claim the 2026 Acura Grand Prix.
It was Palou's third win in five races this season, and the first time the Spaniard had topped the podium on a street circuit he had long coveted. As the field navigated the 90-lap race, the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 10 crew produced one of the quickest sequences of pit work in the paddock, flipping Palou ahead of the long-time leader Rosenqvist at the critical final stop.
"Let's go. Thank you, boys," Palou radioed to his crew as he rounded the final corner to the checkered flag.
Rosenqvist, driving the No. 60 SiriusXM/Acura Honda for Meyer Shank Racing, had controlled the opening phase after converting pole. But once the Ganassi crew delivered a quicker service window, the reigning champion assumed the lead and sprinted away on soft Firestones.
"Alex Palou returns to victory lane and to the championship lead," the broadcast called, as he became the first driver to tick Long Beach off the bucket list among his 2026 wins.
Scott Dixon produced his best result of the season in the sister No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing machine, coming home third and completing a strong day for the team. Kyle Kirkwood brought his Andretti Global entry home fourth, while Pato O'Ward rounded out the top five for Arrow McLaren after a fraught afternoon that included being passed by Alexander Rossi on track.
Romain Grosjean, who had endured a destructive practice crash at Turn 1 earlier in the weekend, did not feature at the sharp end of Sunday's race. Will Power was handed a pit-lane penalty for clipping a crew member, further hampering a Team Penske effort that was already struggling with pace.
With Barber Motorsports Park next on the schedule, Palou's rivals now face the familiar spring challenge of trying to halt a runaway favorite. On this evidence, the rest of the field remains a beat behind the Ganassi operation every time the lights go out.
