The opening practice session for the 2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix delivered a little bit of everything: mechanical drama, lingering Indianapolis 500 storylines, questions surrounding Josef Newgarden’s fitness, and ultimately a result that felt all too familiar.
After two weeks of talking about Indianapolis, daring last-lap passes, and what the 500 might mean for the championship fight, Practice 1 ended with Alex Palou back at the top of the timesheets.
Palou led the session with a lap of 1:02.7722, finishing ahead of Kyle Kirkwood and Will Power. Marcus Armstrong continued his recent run of strong form in fourth, followed by Pato O’Ward, David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard, Rinus VeeKay, Scott McLaughlin, and Marcus Ericsson.
If there was a prevailing sentiment leaving the session, it was that the series had returned to its regularly scheduled programming.
Life, death, and Alex Palou topping an IndyCar timing screen.
Palou Reasserts Himself
The championship leader wasted little time reminding everyone why he remains the benchmark in IndyCar.
While many fans had spent the week wondering whether Detroit’s tight street circuit could create an opportunity for someone else to close the gap, Practice 1 suggested the same names may once again be leading the charge.
Kirkwood immediately looked competitive on a circuit where street-course specialists tend to thrive, while Power’s third-place showing reinforced the belief that Team Penske’s veteran still has plenty of speed on temporary circuits. Several observers noted that seeing Palou, Kirkwood, and Power near the front felt exactly like what they expected heading into the weekend.
Others simply accepted the inevitability of it all.
After a brief break from Palou domination during Indianapolis Month, Detroit’s first practice session felt like a return to normal service.
Armstrong Continues to Build Momentum
One of the more encouraging stories from the session came from Marcus Armstrong.
The New Zealander finished fourth and continued a recent trend of increasingly competitive performances. There is a growing feeling that Armstrong is beginning to establish himself among IndyCar’s rising generation of contenders.
While some stopped short of placing him alongside drivers such as O’Ward, Kirkwood, and Malukas just yet, there is a sense that another step forward could put him firmly in that conversation. The speed shown in Detroit only strengthened that argument.
Detroit Delivers Its Usual Street-Circuit Atmosphere
Detroit’s unique character was on full display throughout the session.
At one point, race control reported fluid on the circuit coming from Marcus Ericsson’s Siemens-sponsored machine, creating one of those unintentionally humorous broadcast moments that only motorsport can provide.
The incident quickly became the latest addition to a growing collection of memorable IndyCar broadcast moments, with many noting that between recent events and odd radio calls, the series rarely lacks entertaining storylines.
The visual spectacle of the downtown Detroit street circuit also received praise. Even among those who often criticize the venue, there was appreciation for the dramatic backdrop and atmosphere surrounding the event.
Indianapolis 500 Storylines Still Loom Large
Even though the series has moved on from Indianapolis, many discussions throughout Practice 1 continued to revolve around what happened just one week ago.
Felix Rosenqvist’s remarkable outside move during the closing stages of the Indianapolis 500 remained a major talking point. Looking back, many now view the pass as one of the most impressive moves seen at the Speedway in years.
There is growing curiosity about whether Rosenqvist’s bold move might permanently influence how drivers approach future Indianapolis 500 finishes. The move challenged conventional wisdom regarding passing opportunities at IMS, and some believe it may encourage more drivers to attempt similar maneuvers in years to come.
Others were more cautious, noting that while Rosenqvist’s move was brilliant, trying to replicate it could easily send competitors into the wall.
That tension between brilliance and risk is exactly what makes Indianapolis so compelling.
Josef Newgarden Questions Continue
One of the biggest discussion points from Practice 1 centered around Josef Newgarden.
Throughout the session, questions lingered regarding both his condition and his pace. Earlier reports indicated that Felipe Nasr was on standby should Newgarden ultimately be unable to compete.
As the session unfolded, concerns only intensified.
Many observers felt Newgarden’s pace deficit raised legitimate questions about whether he should be in the car this weekend. With Gateway approaching—a venue where Newgarden is traditionally among the favorites—some argued that focusing on recovery could provide greater long-term benefits.
The discussion extended beyond Detroit itself. There was debate over how much responsibility belongs with Newgarden versus Team Penske’s broader struggles on road and street circuits this season. While some wondered whether Penske should seriously consider utilizing Nasr if Newgarden is not fully fit, others questioned whether the team’s overall performance issues are contributing to the situation.
Regardless of the cause, Newgarden’s weekend is likely to remain one of the most closely watched stories heading into qualifying.
The Danger Zone Returns
Another storyline gaining traction ahead of the remainder of the weekend is the return of IndyCar’s “Danger Zone” qualifying procedures.
Some believe the format could create opportunities for chaos and potentially disrupt the usual order. Naturally, that immediately led to jokes that any mechanism designed to stop Palou would somehow end up benefiting him instead.
Whether the format creates unpredictability or simply gives Palou another opportunity to demonstrate why he remains the championship favorite remains to be seen.
Practice 1 Results – Top 10
- Alex Palou – 1:02.7722
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Will Power
- Marcus Armstrong
- Pato O’Ward
- David Malukas
- Christian Lundgaard
- Rinus VeeKay
- Scott McLaughlin
- Marcus Ericsson
For a brief moment after Indianapolis, it felt like the championship might be entering a new phase. Detroit’s opening practice session served as a reminder that before anyone can talk about title fights, momentum swings, or potential challengers, they still have to solve the same problem that has defined much of the 2026 season.
Alex Palou remains the driver everyone is chasing.