A thrilling weekend of racing in the NTT IndyCar Series
Mar 16, 2026 12:25PM ● By Alyssa Cantu
ARLINGTON, Texas — A thrilling weekend of racing in the NTT IndyCar Series delivered drama and a new championship leader as drivers took to the streets of Arlington for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood emerged victorious Sunday after an intense battle with defending series champion Álex Palou, securing his first win of the 2026 season and taking over the lead in the championship standings.
The race, contested on a new 2.73-mile temporary street circuit winding through Arlington’s entertainment district, marked the first time the Texas city hosted an IndyCar event. Drivers navigated 14 turns at speeds exceeding 180 mph in front of a packed crowd.
Kirkwood started seventh on the grid but steadily worked his way forward through strategy and aggressive driving. The pivotal moment came with 15 laps remaining, when he made a decisive inside move on Palou to take the lead. Kirkwood held the position through a late caution to secure the victory.
Palou finished second after leading portions of the race, while veteran Will Power rounded out the podium in third place.
The win marked Kirkwood’s sixth career IndyCar victory and gave Andretti Global a strong early-season statement as the 2026 campaign begins to take shape.
With three races completed this season, the series has already seen three different winners, highlighting the competitive depth of the grid.
IndyCar will now take a short break before the next race at Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix later this month in Birmingham, Alabama, where drivers will continue their battle for early-season momentum.
As the series moves forward, Kirkwood’s Arlington triumph has added another compelling storyline to what is already shaping up to be a highly competitive 2026 IndyCar season.