Alex Palou won IndyCar’s return to the streets of Detroit continuing a recent streak of success which includes a win in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and a fourth place run in the Indy 500.
Alex Palou and Scott McLaughlin made up the front row for the start of the race at the ten turn 1.7-mile street course. After the start was waived off the first time around, Callum Ilott would run into the back of Kyle Kirkwood ending his day and sending Kirkwood to the pits for a rear wing change. Some drivers took the caution as a chance to change tires.
Motor City street fight starting out with a punch. @callum_ilott‘s day is done after connecting with @KKirkwoodRacing. #INDYCAR // #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/3H2za6U3ff
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 4, 2023
Romain Grosjean would get past McLaughlin on the restart as early green flag pit stops began on lap 16 with Christan Lundgaard and Marcus Ericsson. On black tires Will Power began to cut into Palou’s lead that was over nine second at one point, taking the lead when Palou pitted. Kirkwood and Colton Herta, who both changed tires at the early caution, could be seen climbing though the field as Romain Grosjean, who had another good run going, would go off the track trying to pit.
DISASTER for Romain Grosjean!
He misses the corner! #INDYCAR
📺 : @NBC and @Peacock pic.twitter.com/Pm9T1sglgt
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 4, 2023
Power would change off the primary tires on lap 34 with Palou regaining the lead. Pato O’Ward would lose a lap during his pitstop as his left rear wheel was not put on correctly and his car would not fire off pit road.
Heartbreak for @PatricioOWard.
The No. 5 with issues on pit lane but is now back on-track and a lap down.#INDYCAR // #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/sBK81ht4LL
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 4, 2023
O’Ward pressing to make up time would run into the wall on lap 43, after passing Santino Ferrucci, ending his day. After a restart the field found themselves under caution again.
Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward crashes out of the @DetroitGP. #INDYCAR
📺 : @NBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/ar6QtI2UbG
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 4, 2023
Sting Ray Robb would find himself off track in turn 3 and later under yellow Graham Rahal would run into the wall and promptly be hit by Benjamin Pederson.
Graham Rahal and Benjamin Pederson have crashed under FCY…@AlwaysRaceDay @ChampWebDotNet pic.twitter.com/vdBI1yaaiT
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) June 4, 2023
Power would move past Palou on the restart on lap 56. Colton Herta would suffer wing damage to his car after Agustin Canapino blocked him to draw a penalty. As Power’s tires began to fade Palou would work back around on lap 65.
Grosjean’s inability to finish races this season continued as he would hit a wall and bring out a caution with 20 laps to go.
Late race heartbreak for @RGrosjean.
After this incident in turn 4, Grosjean’s day is done. #INDYCAR // #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/aLWN3NY6gm
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 4, 2023
The race would go green with 14 to go but quickly returned to caution with David Malukas stalled after contact. On the restart Scott Dixon would make contact with Power as Alexander Rossi would sneak into second place behind Palou. Sting Ray Robb and Ferrucci would bring out the caution after they went off track and stalled while battling each other.
Alexander Rossi goes from fifth to second in one corner!
Less than 9 laps remain! #INDYCAR
📺 : @NBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/XpjswzxI1i
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 4, 2023
Palou would pull way for the win over Power but the Arrow McClaren cars of Alexander Rossi and Felix Rosenqvist would battle each other for third with Rosenqvist getting the better.
With the win Palou now has a 51 point lead over second place Ericsson and 70 point lead over third place Newgarden.
IndyCar Grand Prix of Detroit Results
