IndyCar brought high-speed excitement back to North Texas this weekend, drawing thousands of fans to the sold-out grandstands in the Entertainment District for the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
The 2.73-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit wound through the heart of the city around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, hosting four races over the weekend in a joint venture between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment.
Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood claimed victory after an aggressive pass on Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou with 15 laps remaining in the 70-lap main event. Kirkwood held on to win under caution for his sixth career victory and fifth on a street course.
“It’s been an incredible event,” Kirkwood said, per ESPN. “This event was done right. I can see this being one of our marquee events outside of the (Indianapolis) 500 in a very short period of time if we continue coming back here.”
Palou finished second, and Andretti Global’s Will Power took third, with the team’s cars leading 47 laps combined.
Strong winds gusting 40 to 50 mph prompted an earlier start and forced cancellation of the post-race concert.
Fans old and new packed the venue. Martin Salisbury, a 65-year-old Dallas super fan attending his 11th IndyCar race, arrived in a wheelchair wearing a full checkered-flag outfit. His wife accompanied him.
“I’m impressed with all they’ve done here,” Salisbury told Arlington Report as he looked toward the barricaded track. “Unfortunately, I’m not going to get through all of (the track), but I think it’ll be great for years. We’ll be here, if I can.”
Carlos Gonzalez and his family traveled from Guadalajara, Mexico, wearing matching Arrow McLaren jerseys to support Mexican-born driver Pato O’Ward.
“Having the opportunity to be at the first street race in Texas, it’s a historical thing,” Gonzalez said, per Arlington Report. “It’s a totally different experience from other races that I’ve been to. I’ve been in NASCAR, Formula 1, and IndyCar, and I can tell that this is one of the most exciting ones.”
Moises Reyes and Brisa Delgado came from Royce City for their first IndyCar event.
“It makes you get the chills, makes your hair stand up,” Reyes said, according to Arlington Report. “But overall, I think it’s a good start. Next year, if they bring it back here, I think it’d be good.”
“Though the road is bumpy, I think it’s great,” added Delgado.
Palou praised the event despite some rough patches on the street surface.
“But this is by far the best street push race that I’ve been a part of,” he said, according to Arlington Report.
Power called the packed stands and atmosphere “a new standard.”
“Every stand was full, like when you drive around, every area is totally, totally full,” Power said. “The track looked amazing, it just looked like a big event. This is setting a new standard of what our events should look like.”
