Key takeaways
- Title chase re-opened: Kyle Kirkwood capitalized on Álex Palou’s disastrous 20th-place finish to cut the Spaniard’s championship lead down to 91 points.
- Honda’s street course sweep: Honda swept all six street circuit events in 2026, claiming 15 out of 18 available podium spots.
- Milestone for Collet: Caio Collet secured his first top-10 result of the year with a clean, zero-risk drive into 9th place for AJ Foyt Racing.
The Grand Prix of Washington brought new elements to the final stretch of the 2026 IndyCar season and reinforced key trends from across the championship. A dominant victory by Kyle Kirkwood reduced Álex Palou’s points lead, while Honda maintained its ironclad hold on street courses. Meanwhile, Caio Collet finally achieved his first top-10 finish of the year following a faultless performance.
Beyond the track, the inaugural event in the United States capital proved IndyCar can deliver high-impact street events when backed by heavy promotional investment, while Scott McLaughlin suffered another costly self-inflicted error. Here are 5 things we learned from the GP of Washington.
1. Kirkwood capitalizes as Palou’s race unravels
Groomed from an early age for top-tier open-wheel racing, Kyle Kirkwood delivered a masterclass performance in Washington, winning without giving competitors a opening. While Andretti Global showcased stellar street-course setups—evidenced by Will Power and Marcus Ericsson finishing third and fourth—it was Kirkwood’s commanding drive on Sunday (23) that stole the show.
Kyle Kirkwood dominated the street course in Washington (Photo: IndyCar)
Kirkwood demonstrated both pure speed and championship-caliber consistency against Álex Palou. Taking full advantage of Palou’s nightmare afternoon—which included pit-lane penalties, slow stops, and a late crash resulting in a 20th-place finish—Kirkwood trimmed the Spaniard’s lead to 91 points.
2. Honda remains undefeated on street circuits
While Andretti’s engineering setup deserves credit, the underlying power of the Honda engine was instrumental on temporary tracks. The Japanese manufacturer swept every street circuit race on the 2026 IndyCar calendar.
In a series defined by strict engine parity, Honda’s performance package on street layouts proved superior to Chevrolet’s. Beyond sweeping all six street victories, Honda claimed 15 of 18 available podium finishes across those events—missing out on total podium sweeps only in St. Petersburg and Washington.
3. Collet secures first top-10 with a zero-risk approach
Caio Collet behind the wheel for AJ Foyt Racing (Photo: IndyCar)
Caio Collet finally cracked the top-10 in 2026 with a solid 9th-place finish. Despite losing time during three pit stops, the Brazilian executed a clean drive through the tight Washington street layout.
Following an up-and-down rookie campaign marked by pit-stop delays and crashes at Indianapolis, Nashville, and Markham, Collet focused on consistency. In physical cars without power steering, simply finishing clean on bumpy street tracks often yields strong results. Collet’s patient drive rewarded him with a career-best result in IndyCar.
4. IndyCar proves high-stakes street events work with proper backing
The Washington GP provided unprecedented visibility for a non-Indy 500 round. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the inaugural capital race attracted broad mainstream attention, driven by heavy promotion from Penske Entertainment.
Following the successful template set by the Arlington GP, Penske Entertainment demonstrated its event management capability when fully invested. Despite Washington being confirmed late in January, the event delivered top-tier organization, setting a higher standard for future street races on the IndyCar calendar.
5. McLaughlin throws away podium with late mistake
Scott McLaughlin’s late attempt to pass Kyle Kirkwood ended in the barrier (Photo: IndyCar)
Scott McLaughlin entered the weekend as a potential title challenger, but a late-race mistake cost him a top finish. Running in podium position for nearly the entire afternoon, the Team Penske driver misjudged his braking point while attempting a late-restart pass on Kirkwood, driving straight into the barrier.
The error comes despite added support on his pit stand from Tim Cindric. With three races remaining in the season, McLaughlin faces mounting pressure to regain consistent form.
IndyCar returns this weekend with a double-header on the 1-mile oval at Milwaukee—rounds 16 and 17 of the 2026 season—in West Allis, Wisconsin. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full coverage of the event. Follow all updates on our news page.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How many points separated Álex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood after Washington?
Álex Palou’s championship lead was reduced from 133 points to 91 points over Kyle Kirkwood following the GP of Washington.
2. What was Caio Collet’s previous best finish before the Washington GP?
Prior to his 9th-place finish in Washington, Caio Collet’s best result of the 2026 season was 12th at the Arlington Grand Prix.
3. Which street circuits did Honda win during the 2026 IndyCar season?
Honda swept all six street course events on the 2026 calendar, including victories at St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Detroit, Markham, Arlington, and Washington.
