Kirkwood Snaps Palou’s Streak, Wins 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Kyle Kirkwood delivered a masterful performance to claim victory in the 50th running of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13, 2025, leading from pole to the checkered flag under flawless sunny skies. Driving the No. 27 PreFab Honda for Andretti Global, the Florida native pulled away in the closing laps to finish 2.6859 seconds ahead of championship leader Álex Palou, ending Palou’s two-race win streak to open the season .

From the drop of the green flag, Kirkwood set a blistering pace, leading 46 of the 90 laps on the 1.968‑mile, 11‑turn street circuit. The race remained caution‑free—the second straight of the season and the first at Long Beach since 2016—turning the event into a strategic duel centered on tire management and pit‑stop timing .

Álex Palou, who started third in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, made an early bid to undercut Kirkwood by pitting at the end of Lap 6, one lap ahead of his rival. Despite rejoining just behind Kirkwood on fresher Firestone Firehawk primary tires, Palou was never able to close the 2.6859‑second gap, settling for second place and extending his championship lead to 34 points over Kirkwood . “You never feel amazing when you finish second,” Palou admitted, “but the 27 car and Kyle, they were amazing all weekend. I tried my chances, but we couldn’t really make it work” .

Christian Lundgaard completed the podium in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet after executing a bold late‑race overtake on Felix Rosenqvist at Turn 1 with five laps remaining. Lundgaard’s third place marked his first podium of the season and capped a remarkable recovery after his car was rebuilt overnight following a qualifying crash . Rosenqvist held on for fourth, while two‑time Long Beach winner Will Power rounded out the top five in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet .

The contest featured nine lead changes—the most at Long Beach since 2012—as teams juggled the mandated use of both alternate and primary Firestone compounds. Kirkwood and Palou’s identical three‑stop strategies, with final pit visits on Laps 65 and 64 respectively, proved decisive in maintaining track position in the closing stint .

With three races complete, Palou’s consistency—two wins and a runner‑up finish—has set a torrid pace in the championship, but Kirkwood’s victory underscores Andretti Global’s threat. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES now shifts to Barber Motorsports Park for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on May 4, where the battle for early‑season supremacy will continue .