Kirkwood Triumphs at Long Beach as Honda Maintains Perfect Start in 2025 INDYCAR Season

Kyle Kirkwood wins the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, leading a Honda 1-2 with Alex Palou. See how Honda’s 2025 INDYCAR season is unfolding.

The 50th running of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach delivered a historic result for Honda, with Kyle Kirkwood dominating from pole position to take his third career victory—and his second on the famous Californian street circuit. The win also extended Honda’s perfect start to the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, making it three wins from three races.

Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing finished second, keeping his flawless podium streak intact and extending his lead in the championship to 34 points. While he acknowledged lacking the outright pace to challenge Kirkwood, Palou’s consistency continues to reinforce his status as a strong contender for a fourth title in five seasons.

Honda’s strength was on full display not only on the podium but in the manufacturer standings, where the brand leads Chevrolet by 69 points (278 to 209). The win at Long Beach, a track where Honda already held a record 21 victories, further cements its legacy at the iconic venue.

Drama unfolded in the closing stages as Felix Rosenqvist, driving for Meyer Shank Racing, was knocked out of podium contention following a late move from the #7 car, dropping him to fourth. Other Honda-powered drivers in the top ten included Colton Herta, Scott Dixon, and Kyffin Simpson—the latter achieving a career-best 10th-place finish.

The race also offered a glimpse into how teams are adapting to INDYCAR’s new hybrid power units. Now in its first full season of integration, the system—featuring a motor-generator unit and energy storage—has been designed to enhance overtaking opportunities and reduce the frequency of full-course cautions. While both manufacturers use the same hardware, strategy and execution continue to play a key role, and Honda’s early-season form speaks to the team's operational excellence.

All eyes now turn to Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, a physically demanding and technically complex circuit. With 19 of 27 teams having tested there earlier this spring, the next round could be pivotal. While Palou remains the title favorite, Kirkwood’s commanding win at Long Beach adds pressure and momentum to the championship battle.

Source: hondanews.com