Detroit – Alex Palou, a four-time IndyCar series champion, has won the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix for the second time in four years.
Palou, who started from the pole for Chip Ganassi Racing, regained the lead with 31 laps to go during a full-course caution after pitting first. He held off a charge from last year’s race winner, Kyle Kirkwood, driving for Andretti Global, who was 3.0584 behind. Graham Rahal, who drives for Rahal Letterman Lanigan, was third in Sunday’s race after starting 12th.
“It was a tough one, very tough one, but the team did a great job with pit stops and strategy,” Palou said immediately after the race during an interview on FOX. “Another win feels incredible and can’t wait for the next one.”
There were seven lead changes and 173 total passes during the race on the notoriously bumpy, tight track. Kirkwood said he used up his tires too much and could not pass Palou.
“You really can’t run much better race than that from sixth (where he started),” Kirkwood said.
This was the fourth time the Grand Prix has been held on the 1.7-mile, nine-turn downtown street circuit since moving from Belle Isle. Palou won the 2023 race when the Detroit Grand Prix returned downtown.
Palou, who has won the pole in the last three races, including last week’s Indianapolis 500, has four wins this season, including three on street circuits.
achengelis@detroitnews.com
@chengelis
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pole-sitter Palou races to Detroit Grand Prix victory
Reporting by Angelique S. Chengelis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
