Alex Palou Wins IndyCar Music City Grand Prix

Race Overview: How Palou Secured Victory

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver claimed the lead after rallying down pit road just before a mid‑pit cycle caution with 100 laps remaining. Palou then controlled the front for the rest of the event, holding off Josef Newgarden’s challenge for the final 35 laps. The win placed him atop a Team Penske double‑header, as both Newgarden and David Malukas finished behind him. It was a clean, tactical victory for Palou on a track known for its high speeds.

Key Moments and Pit Strategy

Two green‑flag pit cycles were interrupted by cautions, creating moments of drama. After the Lap 124 caution, David Malukas accepted a wave‑around and kept his position, while Scott McLaughlin and Kyle Kirkwood each lost track position when a caution came out with 45 laps to go. These shifts reshaped the order and added uncertainty to a race that tested drivers’ pit‑stop timing. The strategic calls during those cycles ultimately favored Palou’s crew.

Full Finish Order and Results

Here is the complete list of finishers from Monday’s IndyCar Series race at Nashville Superspeedway:

• Alex Palou, No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
• Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet
• David Malukas, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet
• Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet
• Felix Rosenqvist, No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda
• Marcus Ericsson, No. 28 Andretti Global Honda
• Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet
• Mick Schumacher, No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
• Kyffin Simpson, No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
• Kyle Kirkwood, No. 27 Andretti Global Honda
• Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet
• Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
• Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet
• Romain Grosjean, No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda
• Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
• Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet
• Louis Foster, No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda (‑1 lap down)
• Scott Dixon, No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda (‑6 laps down)
• Graham Rahal, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda (OUT)
• Will Power, No. 26 Andretti Global Honda (‑15 laps down)
• Dennis Hauger, No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda (OUT, crash)
• Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet (OUT)
• Alexander Rossi, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet (OUT, crash)
• Marcus Armstrong, No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda (OUT, engine)
• Caio Collet, No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet (OUT, crash)

Palou’s victory marks his first win of the 2026 campaign and moves him up in the season standings. The race also highlighted the strength of Team Penske, who secured a double‑podium with Newgarden and Malukas, while Andretti Global drivers displayed speed throughout the field. Fans can expect more tight battles as the IndyCar season continues to unfold at upcoming tracks.