Alex Palou converts Detroit Grand Prix victory into a firmer No. 1 in this week’s Power Rankings, his fourth win of 2026 and a fifth consecutive week at the top.

Detroit extends his run of seven top-seven finishes in eight starts, reinforcing a points lead built on repeat execution. That authority began from pole, as outlined in Palou’s pole position in Detroit.

Kyle Kirkwood climbs from sixth to second after finishing runner-up. He tops both practice sessions and converts that speed on race day. He owns six top-fives in eight starts.

Kirkwood also enters Madison as defending winner at World Wide Technology Raceway and earlier finished second on Phoenix’s one‑mile oval, reinforcing oval credentials relevant to the title fight.

David Malukas drops from second to third after a qualifying crash leaves him 25th on the grid. He salvages 18th, his worst finish of the season.

Form remains solid: six top‑seven results in the last seven races, including runner‑up finishes at the Sonsio Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, plus a maiden NTT P1 Award at Phoenix.

Pato O’Ward slips to fourth after finishing fourth in Detroit. Six top‑fives, three in the last four races, sustain his challenge. He was runner‑up at Detroit last season.

Felix Rosenqvist falls to fifth after taking sixth in Detroit. Three top‑six results in the last four races indicate progress after an average finish of 14th early on.

His Indianapolis 500 victory also signals Meyer Shank Racing’s competitive step, providing a stronger platform for street and road courses through the summer.

Christian Lundgaard sits sixth after finishing fifth in Detroit. That’s two top‑fives in the last four races, alongside his Sonsio Grand Prix win, despite dips at Long Beach and Indianapolis.

Graham Rahal rises three to seventh with third in Detroit. He now has three podiums in five races and four top‑eight finishes in that span, building consistency.

Marcus Armstrong drops to eighth after finishing 11th. He still records seven results of 11th or better in eight starts and led late at the Indianapolis 500.

Scott McLaughlin slips to tenth after contact drops him from third to 19th in Detroit. Even so, he owns four top‑10s, including third at the Indianapolis 500.

Josef Newgarden returns ninth after finishing 10th in Detroit. Five top‑10s this season and his Gateway record make him a standout threat for Sunday night’s Bommarito 500.

The series moves to World Wide Technology Raceway on June 7 at 9 p.m. ET. Coverage airs on FOX, FOX One, and INDYCAR Radio after an intense street fight in Motown framed Detroit’s narrative.

Visual Summary

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.