Palou Wins Portland Grand Prix, Honda Sweeps IndyCar Podium

Alex Palou secured his sixth victory of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season at the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland, further extending his lead in the championship standings. The event saw a complete Honda IndyCar Portland win podium sweep, with Felix Rosenqvist and Will Power joining Palou in the top three positions. This strong performance underscores Honda's competitive presence in the series.

Race Highlights

Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, converted his strong qualifying performance into a decisive win. This marks his sixth triumph of the season, a significant achievement for the Spaniard. Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing, who started on pole and won the 2026 Indy 500, finished in second place after leading 33 laps before Palou overtook him during the first pit cycle. Will Power, representing Andretti Global, rounded out the all-Honda podium with a third-place finish, his third podium of the year in his debut season with the team. This event was Honda's fourth podium sweep of the year, following similar results at the Arlington Grand Prix, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Detroit Grand Prix.

Championship Implications

Palou's victory at Portland significantly bolsters his championship aspirations, giving him a 110-point lead with five races remaining in the 2026 season. He is currently pursuing his fourth consecutive IndyCar championship and fifth in the last six years. His six wins this season also make him the third driver in IndyCar history to achieve back-to-back seasons with six or more victories. In the drivers' championship, Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood moved back into second place with a fifth-place finish, just ahead of teammate Marcus Ericsson. Honda also maintains a substantial lead in the manufacturers' championship, holding a 1129-996 advantage after the Portland race.

Driver Perspectives

Following his win, Alex Palou expressed gratitude to his Chip Ganassi Racing team and highlighted Honda's engine performance, noting the car's strategy and fuel efficiency. Felix Rosenqvist acknowledged Palou's strong first stint and effective overcut strategy, while still being pleased with his second-place finish and the overall Honda IndyCar Portland win. Will Power praised Honda's engine package, attributing the strong performance to the manufacturer's current capabilities and expressing satisfaction with his team's progress. David Salters, President of HRC US, commended the drivers and teams for their performance, emphasizing Honda's successful season with eight wins and four podium sweeps to date.

The strong showing at the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland reinforces Honda's dominant position in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. With Palou's extended lead and the manufacturer's championship advantage, Honda and its teams are well-positioned as the series heads into the final stretch of the season, with the next race scheduled for Markham.