Pato O'Ward leads the field of 27 Dallara DW12 Hybrid-Powered NTT INDYCARs through Turn 1 in the beginning of 65 laps on the combined South Palm (where Pitlane and the front straight away are located) and North Palm courses create a decent 3+ mile challenge. In this image, Alex Palou who had qualified P3 seems to be getting the best of Christian Lundgaard who qualified P2 following in just behind Pato O'Ward, the P1 Pole sitter. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal (2025)
Expectations Run High For Competition On The Streets Of The 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach
As the 2025 17 Race event NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship season heads into its third race, the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend held from Friday, April 11 through to raceday Sunday, April 13, here's what to expect from the top drivers based on their performances in the first two races of this season.
Alex Palou, the reigning champion, has kicked off the 2025 season in dominant fashion, becoming the first driver since teammate Scott Dixon in 2020 to win the opening two races. With victories at St. Petersburg on March 2 and The Thermal Club last Sunday, Palou is the man to beat. Despite leading just 39 of 165 laps, his ability to maximize results has him firmly atop the Drivers To Notice list. Expect Palou to be the favorite at Long Beach, where his consistency and racecraft could extend his unbeaten streak, especially if tire compound strategy comes in to play. At The Thermal Club, Chip Ganassi Racing decided to start the race on used Alternate soft compound REDS, then Black Primary, Black Primary, and finish on a set of new Alternate REDS - passing both Arrow McLaren drivers in the final stint..
Pato O’Ward has emerged as Palou’s closest challenger. After a stunning drive from P23 to P11 at St. Petersburg and a commanding performance at The Thermal Club - where he earned pole, led 51 laps, but finished P2 with four tire stints of REDS, Blacks, Blacks, and Blacks - O’Ward is hitting his stride. His momentum and raw speed make him a serious threat at Long Beach, where he could challenge Palou for the win and solidify his case as the series’ second-best driver.
Christian Lundgaard, in his first season with Arrow McLaren, has shown immediate
promise. A P5 to P8 run at St. Petersburg and a P2 to P3 effort at The Thermal
Club, including 23 laps led, signal his potential. Long Beach’s tight streets
could suit his precision, and a podium - or better - feels within reach as he
adapts to his new team.
Felix Rosenqvist brings confidence into Long Beach after a P3 to P7 result at St. Petersburg and a P9 to P5 charge at The Thermal Club. Having earned pole at this event last year, Rosenqvist knows how to navigate the iconic circuit. Expect him to be in the mix for a top-five finish, if not a podium.
Colton Herta has the pace but needs execution. A front-row start at St. Petersburg yielded only P16 after a slow pit stop, but he rebounded with a P4 finish from fourth on the grid at The Thermal Club. Long Beach has historically been kind to Herta, and if his team sharpens its strategy, he could be a contender for the podium.
Scott Dixon, the defending Long Beach winner, remains a factor despite a quieter start. A runner-up P2 finish at St. Petersburg showed his championship pedigree, though an P11 to P10 run at The Thermal Club was less inspiring. With six titles and a knack for Long Beach success, expect Dixon to drive his focus and challenge for a top finish on a track he knows well.
Kyle Kirkwood has been steady, opening with a P9 to P5 drive at St. Petersburg and holding a P8 at The Thermal Club. His consistency is notable, but he’ll need a breakout performance to crack the elite at Long Beach. A top-five is possible if he capitalizes on his strong starts.
Scott McLaughlin’s season has been a tale of two races. He led 40 laps and finished fourth at St. Petersburg - losing the lead based upon the timing of the mandatory tire usage change - but struggled mightily at The Thermal Club, qualifying an uncharacteristic P25 and finishing P27 (last) as the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) began to overheat. Long Beach offers a chance to rebound, and his qualifying prowess could put him back in contention if he avoids trouble.
Will Power’s resilience stands out after a first-lap crash left him P26 at St. Petersburg. Team Penske's poor qualifications at Thermal had his car start P21, but a caution-to-the-wind tire strategy of Blacks, REDS, REDS, and REDS had him climb his way back challenging for P5 but ran out of laps to settle at P6. This drive by Will at The Thermal Club was Team Penske’s best result so far two races in. Power’s experience at Long Beach could see him climb higher, likely targeting a top-five to kickstart his season.
Alexander Rossi, new to Ed Carpenter Racing's newly financed and restructured team (follow link to 2/3rds down in article of ZOOM Call press conference), has started solidly with a P10 at St. Petersburg and a P9 at The Thermal Club. His consistency is encouraging, and while he’s not yet in victory contention, a top-10 finish at Long Beach seems a realistic expectation as he builds with his new team.
With Palou setting the season's pace and a hungry field behind him, the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises extreme Hybrid-Powered intense competition. Tune in at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 13, on over-the-air FOX TV (check local listings), the Fox Sports app, or the INDYCAR Radio Network to see who can rise to the challenge on this concluding West coast swing weekend.
... notes from The EDJE
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As the 2025 17 Race event NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship season heads into its third race, the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend held from Friday, April 11 through to raceday Sunday, April 13, here's what to expect from the top drivers based on their performances in the first two races of this season.
Alex Palou, the reigning champion, has kicked off the 2025 season in dominant fashion, becoming the first driver since teammate Scott Dixon in 2020 to win the opening two races. With victories at St. Petersburg on March 2 and The Thermal Club last Sunday, Palou is the man to beat. Despite leading just 39 of 165 laps, his ability to maximize results has him firmly atop the Drivers To Notice list. Expect Palou to be the favorite at Long Beach, where his consistency and racecraft could extend his unbeaten streak, especially if tire compound strategy comes in to play. At The Thermal Club, Chip Ganassi Racing decided to start the race on used Alternate soft compound REDS, then Black Primary, Black Primary, and finish on a set of new Alternate REDS - passing both Arrow McLaren drivers in the final stint..
Pato O’Ward has emerged as Palou’s closest challenger. After a stunning drive from P23 to P11 at St. Petersburg and a commanding performance at The Thermal Club - where he earned pole, led 51 laps, but finished P2 with four tire stints of REDS, Blacks, Blacks, and Blacks - O’Ward is hitting his stride. His momentum and raw speed make him a serious threat at Long Beach, where he could challenge Palou for the win and solidify his case as the series’ second-best driver.
Felix Rosenqvist brings confidence into Long Beach after a P3 to P7 result at St. Petersburg and a P9 to P5 charge at The Thermal Club. Having earned pole at this event last year, Rosenqvist knows how to navigate the iconic circuit. Expect him to be in the mix for a top-five finish, if not a podium.
Colton Herta has the pace but needs execution. A front-row start at St. Petersburg yielded only P16 after a slow pit stop, but he rebounded with a P4 finish from fourth on the grid at The Thermal Club. Long Beach has historically been kind to Herta, and if his team sharpens its strategy, he could be a contender for the podium.
Scott Dixon, the defending Long Beach winner, remains a factor despite a quieter start. A runner-up P2 finish at St. Petersburg showed his championship pedigree, though an P11 to P10 run at The Thermal Club was less inspiring. With six titles and a knack for Long Beach success, expect Dixon to drive his focus and challenge for a top finish on a track he knows well.
Kyle Kirkwood has been steady, opening with a P9 to P5 drive at St. Petersburg and holding a P8 at The Thermal Club. His consistency is notable, but he’ll need a breakout performance to crack the elite at Long Beach. A top-five is possible if he capitalizes on his strong starts.
Team Penske's "Thirsty Threes" ended up parched in the desert sun as
Scott McLaughlin (and the rest of Team Penske) never got out of Round 1
in Knock-Out Qualifications and in the race suffered from failures in
the new Hybrid-Powered Chevrolet engine unit. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
- Motorsports Journal (2025)
Scott McLaughlin’s season has been a tale of two races. He led 40 laps and finished fourth at St. Petersburg - losing the lead based upon the timing of the mandatory tire usage change - but struggled mightily at The Thermal Club, qualifying an uncharacteristic P25 and finishing P27 (last) as the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) began to overheat. Long Beach offers a chance to rebound, and his qualifying prowess could put him back in contention if he avoids trouble.
Will Power's drive from P21 to P6 was masterclass
and a potential season saving weekend for his chances of being in the
Championship conversation by season's end. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
- Motorsports Journal (2025)
Will Power’s resilience stands out after a first-lap crash left him P26 at St. Petersburg. Team Penske's poor qualifications at Thermal had his car start P21, but a caution-to-the-wind tire strategy of Blacks, REDS, REDS, and REDS had him climb his way back challenging for P5 but ran out of laps to settle at P6. This drive by Will at The Thermal Club was Team Penske’s best result so far two races in. Power’s experience at Long Beach could see him climb higher, likely targeting a top-five to kickstart his season.
ECR's Alexander Rossi, on REDS, leaves the pits with a FOX Sports
TV drone chasing in upper left of the image, with the grandstands
in the far South background. Rossi's No. 20 JAVA HOUSE liveried
Dallara DW12 Chevrolet may be the most pleasing on the grid this
season. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal
(2025)
Alexander Rossi, new to Ed Carpenter Racing's newly financed and restructured team (follow link to 2/3rds down in article of ZOOM Call press conference), has started solidly with a P10 at St. Petersburg and a P9 at The Thermal Club. His consistency is encouraging, and while he’s not yet in victory contention, a top-10 finish at Long Beach seems a realistic expectation as he builds with his new team.
With Palou setting the season's pace and a hungry field behind him, the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises extreme Hybrid-Powered intense competition. Tune in at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 13, on over-the-air FOX TV (check local listings), the Fox Sports app, or the INDYCAR Radio Network to see who can rise to the challenge on this concluding West coast swing weekend.
... notes from The EDJE
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TAGS: 50th Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach, #AGPLB, #INDYCAR, 50th Anniversary, #OTA, FOX Network, #FOXSports Christian Lundgaard, Alexander Rossi, Colton Herta, Scott McLaughlin, Will Power, Thirsty Threes, The EDJE
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