Alex Palou tops opening IndyCar Portland practice

Alex Palou began the 2026 OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland weekend at the head of the field, setting the fastest time in opening IndyCar practice.

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver produced a best lap of 58.5716 seconds in the No. 10 DHL Honda, narrowly beating Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood by 0.0886 seconds as the championship fight moved into the final phase of the season.

“Good day, great start. I think there’s some work to do with the alternates (Firestone Firehawk tires), but we were really good on primaries, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Palou said after opening IndyCar Portland practice.

“It’s good that we tested here because it allowed us to start with good speed already in the No. 10 Honda. But, yeah, some work to do still. We just need more speed.”

Rinus VeeKay was third for Juncos Hollinger Racing, continuing what has been a productive 2026 campaign for the smaller Chevrolet-powered operation.

Will Power placed fourth in the No. 26 TWG AI Andretti Global Honda with a best time of 58.9096 seconds, while Louis Foster completed the top five in the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, despite losing valuable track time due to a technical issue.

Kyffin Simpson was sixth in the second Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, with Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas, Josef Newgarden and Felix Rosenqvist wrapping up the top ten.

Full 2026 IndyCar Portland Practice 1 Results