Christian Lundgaard wins the chaotic XPEL Grand Prix of Road America
Usually, these NTT INDYCAR SERIES road races feel like a long, predictable march toward the obvious. Sunday’s XPEL Grand Prix of Road America was anything but. We watched 55 laps of absolute mayhem where the lead seemed to change hands every time someone dared to blink. Christian Lundgaard, of all people, crossed the finish line in disbelief, radioing his team to ask, “How did we do that?”
It was a race of cursed machines and broken dreams. Felix Rosenqvist looked untouchable until a caution for Christian Rasmussen’s stalled car ruined his pit strategy, and Marcus Armstrong seemed destined for his first career win until his car suffered a terminal failure with only four laps remaining. Then there was Graham Rahal, who was cruising toward a podium until a final-lap tangle with Will Power sent him into the gravel at Turn 12.
Meanwhile, Alex Palou once again proved why he is the master of this series. Despite a pit road speeding penalty and losing his early lead, he clawed his way back to finish fifth. He now leads David Malukas by 60 points, Kyle Kirkwood by 61, and our surprise winner Lundgaard by 77. It was a beautiful, wild afternoon that reminded us all why we watch.
